Abstract:
A rock picker and material loader attachment is pivotally mounted to a loader scoop or bucket and extends longitudinally forward therefrom. A plurality of teeth form the leading surface of the attachment during digging and loading operations. Parallel, relatively planar plates form the structural support for the plurality of teeth, will simultaneously acting as a debris catcher and allowing an operator to view the teeth while engaging material through the debris catcher. An adjustable support is used in combination with a small, easy-to-use wedge, to control and adjust the characteristics of rotation of the attachment relative to a scoop or bucket. A two speed hydraulic cylinder may also be used as the primary mover to effect the rotation of the attachment. The attachment is useful for rocks, manure, trash, bales and other materials.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to excavating, earth working and material handling equipment generally, and specifically to loader scoop or bucket attachments that are designed for efficient rock picking or for material loading, and transport of either. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many industries use front-end loaders and tractors, which are highly versatile machines. Generally configured with a front end bucket, these machines are capable of transporting many thousands of pounds of materials. Most loaders are capable of maneuvering about in relatively small spaces, further adding to their versatility. The bucket is useful for scooping from large piles or smooth surfaces, and so may be used not only for moving materials about but also for cleaning up surfaces. 
     However, a standard bucket has a lateral leading edge which is difficult to use for irregular materials such as logs or pallets. Further limiting a front-end loader is the relative difficulty of using the bucket for digging into dense or packed materials such as the earth, or scraping the irregular ground. Recognizing these limitations of a scoop or bucket, and yet also understanding the vast potential for these compact and powerful machines, previous inventors have designed alternative attachments for front-end loaders. Among the inventions are those illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,877 to Hoffman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,821 to Viel, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,507 to Smith, the teachings of each incorporated herein by reference. 
     Hoffman discloses an attachment, referred to as a picker head, for a tractor or the like. The picker head, which replaces the standard bucket, consists of a plurality of longitudinal, parallel teeth. The teeth are spaced from each other, which improves penetration of the earth and also ensures that any dirt which is gathered with rock will drop back to the earth and not be retained in the picker head. The picker head may also be used to scrape along the irregular earth surface to sift rocks from any loose top soil. 
     Viel discloses an attachment similar to Hoffman, and, like Hoffman, discloses the rock picker as a replacement for the bucket. Like Hoffman, the Viel design discloses a plurality of longitudinal, parallel teeth for picking rocks. In the Viel design, the tractor hydraulics are used to move and orient the rock picker attachment. Neither Hoffman or Viel provide a way to pick rocks or other debris, load, and then continue to pick. Rather, in the Hoffman and Viel designs, the picker attachment is used as a replacement for the loader bucket. Where a large number of rocks or several very large rocks or other debris need loaded, the lack of a loader bucket is a distinct disadvantage. 
     Several additional disadvantages exist in the Viel and Hoffman designs. The use of the picker head as the debris carrying structure limits the operator to only one type of debris in a load. For example, brush or fallen logs and rocks may both need to be removed from a location. The brush will normally be unloaded in one place, such as for burning, composting, etc., while rocks will normally be deposited elsewhere. 
     Furthermore, the picker head is designed for picking, not for holding material. The picker head is flat, with no side walls. A loader bucket has deep side walls designed for retaining material in the bucket. When hauling rock or other debris, very little may be carried directly on the picker head without dropping therefrom. Being able to transfer the material to some other container such as the loader bucket for transport would be a distinct advantage. 
     Another disadvantage of the Hoffman and Viel designs occurs during unloading. Directly controlling the attachment with hydraulics or cables limits how fast the attachment may be moved. 
     Some materials are more difficult to remove, and so may not be adequately unloaded by the Hoffman and Viel designs. 
     Smith discloses a scraper sifter which hangs from a bucket by chains. The chains provide a lost-motion connection, allowing the bucket to float over surface irregularities in the ground. However, due also to the chain connection, the Smith invention is unable to be used for digging. 
     Other attachments and free-standing rock pickers are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,491,079, 2,617,210, 3,082,828, 3,100,540, 3,596,764, 4,411,585, 4,729,180, and D361,772, the teachings of each incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, none of these prior-art rock pickers have met each of the needs of agriculture. 
     In my U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,348, also incorporated herein by reference, I disclose a rock picker which addresses many of the needs which were previously wanting. In that patent, I disclose a toothed rock picker which may be readily attached to an existing front-end loader. The rock picker is actuated without the need for special hydraulics, and includes a solid fence for retaining debris or other matter in the loader. By virtue of the novel construction, a wide range of sizes and types of materials may be handled successfully. Nevertheless, certain disadvantages of that design have been noted. In particular, the use of a solid fence restricts visibility during picking and loading operations. Furthermore, for some applications, is desirable to be able to retrofit hydraulic controls. Finally, in some applications it may be preferable for the material loader to be operated from a fixed position, rather than allow the material loader to rotate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first manifestation, the invention is a hydraulically actuated material loader attachment movably mounted to a loader bucket for loading material from a surface or within a conglomeration. A means pivotally attaches to the loader bucket. A leading edge distal to the loader bucket is used to engage with the material, and a debris catcher for retaining debris in the bucket during material loading is adjacent the loader bucket. A material support between leading edge and support bar supports material during loading. A two speed hydraulic cylinder connected between loader bucket and material loader rotates the material loader relative to loader bucket. The two speed hydraulic cylinder rotates the material loader at a first angular velocity when in a first orientation for loading material and at a second greater angular velocity when the material loader is between the first orientation and a second orientation for unloading. The material loader may be adjusted at the slower first angular velocity to facilitate correct angular positioning relative to a surface, while the faster second angular velocity is sufficient to unload material from the material loader into the bucket. 
     In the second manifestation, the invention is an attachment for loading and unloading material in and out of a front-loader bucket controlled by an operator, while maintaining material in full view of the operator when the operator is facing forward. A plurality of elongated teeth extend forward from the front-loader bucket, and a support extends transverse to the plurality of elongated teeth. A plurality of relatively planar sheets are spaced equidistantly along a support and have individual elongated teeth positioned between the sheets. The relatively planar sheets extend parallel to the elongated teeth, edge-wise to full view of the operator, and the support extends normal to the sheets. The plurality of relatively planar sheets provide support for elongated teeth and form a barrier cooperatively with the front-loader bucket, while maintaining full view. 
     In a third manifestation, the invention is a rock picker, diverse material loader and excavating attachment for a scoop. The attachment includes a means for gathering and supporting material, having a first axial support rod extending along a first axis for rigidly supporting said gathering means. A bracket extends about the first axial support and retains the first axial support to scoop while allowing rotation of support and gathering means about the first axis. A first means limits rotation in a first direction about the first axis; a second means limits rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a third means prevents rotation of gathering means completely. A means for selectively positioning the first axial support relative to bracket enables or disables the third means. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the present invention is to allow continuous rock digging and loading, until the capacity of the loader bucket is reached. A second object of the invention is to allow easy and quick modification of existing equipment to accommodate the attachment and thereby make the equipment more versatile. A third object of the invention is to ensure easy maintenance of the attachment. Another object of the invention is to allow a loader to load as many diverse materials as possible, including rock, manure, logs and trees, hay bales and other baled material, trash, and others. A further object of the invention is to allow a standard attachment to fit a variety of loaders and tractors. An additional object is to enable rapid motion in the attachment during unloading. Yet another object of the invention is to enable clear view of the surface which is being worked, or the material being loaded. Yet a further object of the invention is to enable ready attachment of hydraulic cylinder to control actuation. Another object of the invention is to allow the material loader to be preset to either rotate or remain fixed relative to the bucket. These and other objects are achieved by the preferred embodiment of the invention, as described hereinbelow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a loader attachment designed in accord with the invention from a side view, with the attachment in a material collecting position. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the loader attachment of FIG. 1 from an enlarged, partial side view. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the loader attachment of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the loader attachment of FIG. 1 from front view attached to a front loader or scoop. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the spacer which controls rotation of the attachment. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the spacer of FIG. 5 from a side view. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the loader attachment of FIG. 1 from inside the scoop. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment hydraulically actuated loader attachment designed in accord with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first preferred embodiment actuated material loader  100  with open fence from various views. The primary material support surface is formed from an array of rods  114  which terminate in slightly sloped tips  116 . Forming mild edges about the primary material support surface created by the array of rods  114  are two non-parallel rods  110  which terminate in slightly sloped tips  112 . As may be best seen in FIG. 4, each of the rods  114  are spaced by a small distance sufficient to allow small gravel and dirt to pass through. Larger materials which might otherwise tend to roll off the tops of rods  114  are held towards the center by the slightly elevated outside rods  110 . Rods  110  are received and held in place in socket  111 . Socket  111  may have threads, screw retainers, bolts, rivets, thermally expandable sleeves or other appropriate means for retaining rods  110  in place. Sockets  115  are similarly provided to retain rods  114  in place. Each of the sockets  111 , 115  are securely anchored to large plates  120 . In the most preferred embodiment, these plates  120  may be fabricated from sheet metal such as steel. Plates  120  might, for example, be stamped or cut from much larger sheets stock. Within a more central region of each plates  120 , a hole has also been provided through which a supporting rod  140  passes. Where plates  120  are fabricated from sheet steel, they might, for example, be attached to supporting rod  140  by either a small or complete weld. 
     Attachment  100  is mounted on to a scoop or bucket, such as bucket  200  illustrated in FIG.  4 , by an attaching means  150 , through the attachment of two pairs of similar strips  151 ,  152  which attach to a bottom outside and inside, respectively, of bucket  200 . While a variety of techniques for attachment will be suitable and apparent to those skilled in the art, in the most preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 bolts  153  are used cooperatively with nuts  154  to provide a firm, and still removable, means of attachment. Strips  151 ,  152  provided a strong rigid anchor for T-bar  155 . Engaged with T-bar  155  is adjustable support  157 . As best seen in FIG. 4, adjustable support  157  includes elongated slots  158  through which screws  153  pass. By virtue of the extended slots  158 , adjustable support  157  may be raised or lowered relative to T-bar  155  and mounting strips  151 ,  152 . 
     As can be best seen from FIG. 1, a rotational stop  130  is securely fastened to plates  120 . In operation, plates  120  and support rod  140  are designed to be capable of rotation relative to adjustable support  157 , T-bar  155 , and strips  151 ,  152 . Edge  134  limits the extent of rotation in a counter clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1, by contacting the bottom side of strips  151 . Rotation of teeth  110 ,  114 , and plates  120  is limited in the clockwise direction by stop  122 , which will engage either adjustable support  157  or T-bar  155 . Reinforcement plate  156  is fixed in position and might, for example, be welded to strip  152  and T-bar  155 . Plates  156  provides additional structural support to T-bar  155  in the event substantial torque is applied thereto. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate by enlarged partial view the alternative placements of shaft  140  relative to bushing sleeve  142 , using spacer  145 . FIGS. 5 and 6 provide side and edge views of spacer  145 . A large flat washer  144  includes a flat strip or wedge  146  extending in one or both directions from flat washer  144 . While not specifically illustrated, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that a cotter pin or other retention device will be used in combination with washer  144  to retain support rod  140  and flat washer  144  in place respectively within and adjacent bushing support  142 . Depending upon placement of spacer  145 , support rod  140  may be positioned adjacent adjustable support  157 , as shown in FIG.  2 . In an alternative placement, as shown in FIG. 3, spacer  145  is rotated about 180 degrees, with wedge  146  separating support rod  140  from adjustable support  157 . 
     The significance of the placement of wedge  146  with respect to support rod  140  and adjustable support  157  is best understood when considered in conjunction with FIG.  7 . FIG. 7 provides an interior view of bucket  200  looking towards attachment  100 . From this viewing angle stop  172  and block  174  are visible. Stop  172  may be formed integrally with one of plates  120 , but, in the preferred embodiment, stop  172  is welded or otherwise rigidly and permanently attached between two adjacent plates  120 . When wedge  146  is placed between bushing support  142  and support rod  140 , thereby pressing support rod  140  against adjustable support  157  as shown in FIG. 2, stop  172  will be moved over block  174  so that any rotation of plates  120  about support rod  140  in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 will be prevented by engagement between stop  172  and block  174 . However, when wedge  146  separates support rod  140  from adjustable support  157 , stop  172  will most preferably not engage with block  174 . When so configured, plates  120  are free to rotate about support rod  140 . As a third possible arrangement, which is not specifically illustrated in the figures, spacer  145  might not be used at all. When not used, support rod  140  will slide within bushing support  142  depending upon the orientation of bucket  200  and the resulting orientation of strips  151 ,  152 . When strips  151 ,  152  are nearly horizontal, similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is apparent that bushing support  142  is sloped slightly upwards away from adjustable support  157 . This will cause support rod  140  to self-orient as illustrated in FIG.  2 . However, when strips  151 ,  152  are tilted downward sufficiently, bushing support  142  will no longer be tilted upward, and may, in fact, be tilted downward. In that case, support rod  140  will self orient as shown in FIG. 3, thereby allowing rotation of support rod  140 . As will now be apparent, the use of bushing support  142  without wedge  146  allows teeth  114 ,  110  to be locked in place during normal material loading, and to self release during unloading, to assist with emptying of bucket  200 . Furthermore, during rock-picking or scraping, forward motion will lock attachment  100  in place. Backward and downward motion of bucket  200  will then result in an unlocking, to allow attachment  100  to empty into bucket  200 . 
     In operation, an operator must first determine whether teeth  110 ,  114  should be locked in place, or allowed to rotate. As discussed herein above, this decision determines the appropriate orientation of spacer  145  carrying wedge  146  therein. If the operator has elected to allow rods  110 ,  114  to rotate freely, then attachment  100  will be flipped to an unloading position by lowering bucket  200  until edge  132  engages with a surface such as the ground. Next, bucket  200  will be moved backwards and downward. This movement may be brought about either by hydraulic control alone, or hydraulic control in combination with movement of bucket  200  backwards, depending upon the capabilities of the specific equipment used to control bucket  200 . Edge  132  will engage with the surface, and the continued movement of bucket  200  backwards and downward will lead to a rotation of edge  132  and consequent rotation of rods  110 ,  114  about a pivot formed by support rod  140 . This rotation will come to an abrupt end when stop  122  engages adjustable support  157 . Any material which is supported by rods  110 ,  114 , will be forcefully thrown into bucket  200  when stop  122  engages with support  157 . Smaller materials such as sand and small gravel will pass freely between each of the rods  110 , space  114 . Any finer material that may be propelled into bucket  200  may later pass between plates  120  and out of the front of bucket  200 . Bucket  200  may also include a slotted floor to further assist with the release of the finer material. 
     Sliding adjustable support  157  relative to T-bar  155  allows the maximum tilt or angle formed by rods  114  to be adjusted, by controlling when stop  134  has traveled to its limit against strip  151 . Lowering adjustable strip  157  allows edge  134  to rotate farther in a counter clockwise direction relative to support rod  140  before contacting strip  151 . This, in turn, leads to a greater rotation of rods  114 , also in a counter clockwise direction. Noteworthy is the fact that even though the limit set by stop  134  changes, this adjustment does not change the limit set by stop  122 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment hydraulically actuated material loader which incorporates many of the features and benefits of the present invention in an alternative form. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, one or many of the features illustrated in FIG. 8 may be applied successfully to material loader  100 . Consequently, FIG. 8 will be understood to provide only one of the myriad of possible combinations of components and features which are taught and disclosed herein. One of the primary differences between attachment  300  and attachment  100  is the application of two speed hydraulic cylinder  360  to the rotation of rods  110 ,  114 . The use of a two speed hydraulic cylinder, such as cylinder  360 , is very consequential to the operation of attachment  300 . While various rock pickers and loaders of the prior have utilized hydraulic cylinders, a single speed hydraulic cylinder used in association with the remaining features of the invention will force an operator to either rotate rods  114  too quickly to manage fine position adjustment, or to rotate rods  114  too slowly to completely discharge material into bucket  200 . Most preferably, two speed hydraulic cylinder  360  will move slowly when rods  110 ,  114  are approximately parallel to the ground. However, once rods  110 , space  114  pass a threshold angle of rotation, such as illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 8, two speed hydraulic cylinder  360  will most preferably accelerate to a higher second speed. This accelerated second speed will most preferably be adequate to gently toss material from rods  114  into bucket  200 . 
     Flow restriction valve  370  may be provided in intake line  366  as illustrated, or in discharge line  368  as an alternative. Valve  370  may be used to limit the maximum speed of operation of cylinder  360 . By restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid through lines  366 ,  368 , extension arm  362  will not move as quickly. 
     Optionally, a small elbow  330  may still be provided. While not illustrated, elbow  330  may further optionally include a stop similar to stop  134  of attachment  100 . Elbow  330  can be used to assist hydraulic cylinder  360  in the process of flipping attachment  300 , by providing a mechanical motion of bucket  200 , as described herein above with reference to attachment  100 . 
     As is known in the hydraulics art, hydraulic cylinder  360  may most preferably include a means for adjustment of the length between bucket  200  and opening  340  and arm  345  when cylinder  360  is fully extended. The adjustment may be a simple threaded rod that adds or subtracts length from the attachment between cylinder  360  and bucket  200 , for example. Regardless of the method, in practice when cylinder  360  is fully extended, this adjustment can be used to set the proper scraping angle. 
     While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. In fact, a number of such alternatives have already been enumerated. However, a full and complete listing of all possible alternatives would not be practical within the content of these pages. Rather, the scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims hereinbelow.