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BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Although they can be found in various forms, a tractor, generally stated, is an engineering vehicle designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, and may be configured with mechanisms used in agriculture, landscaping, or construction. Often, the mechanisms may be removable and replaced with other mechanisms that serve specific purposes (i.e., tillers, mowers, planters, reapers, and earth movers). One such mechanism is a dirt scoop. 
         [0002]    A dirt scoop apparatus is a tractor attachment that can be driven by the tractor to move items such as dirt (e.g. soil, rocks, mulch, garbage, debris, and the like). The tractor drives the dirt scoop against the dirt that is to be removed until it is within the volume of a shovel-like element known as a dirt scoop. Once within the volume, the dirt is lifted and moved to a dumping location. 
         [0003]    At the dumping location, the dirt is dumped from the dirt scoop. Typically, dumping occurs during a manual operation in which a rope is pulled by the tractor operator. This operation can be physically taxing on individuals, particularly if they must operate the dirt scoop for long periods of time, or if they have a physical impairment that limits their ability to execute the manual operation. It is desirable to have a dirt scoop apparatus that is effectively and easily operated by a wide range of users in a wide range of circumstances. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus including: a dirt scoop defining a volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle; and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame, where, when the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop, and where the interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation. 
         [0005]    Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The apparatus where the interconnection assembly includes: a pivot joint pivotably connecting the dirt scoop with the frame; a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly fixed with the frame, where the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, where tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is lifted by the tractor automatically unlatches the latch mechanism when the frame reaches the dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame and dump dirt from the volume of the dirt scoop. The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the dirt scoop pivots with respect to the frame to dump the dirt occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the interconnection assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to an upper portion of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism configured to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where the latch mechanism further includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, where the lever arm has a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. The apparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where the frame supports the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, and where unlatching the latch mechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivot about the pivot connection so as to dump the material from the volume. The apparatus where the given elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. A cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. 
         [0006]    Another general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to an tractor, the apparatus including: a dirt scoop having a volume and an open front portion for scooping material into the volume; a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop; a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly attached to the frame, where the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, where, as the frame is lifted tension increases along the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame so as to dump dirt in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion. 
         [0007]    Implementations of this other general aspect may include one or more of the following features. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to an upper portion of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel. The apparatus where the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism configured to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where the latch mechanism further includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, where the lever arm has a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. The apparatus further including: a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state. The apparatus where the frame supports the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, and where unlatching the latch mechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivot about the pivot connection so as to dump the material from the volume. The apparatus where the given elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. A cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. 
         [0008]    A further general aspect is directed to a dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus including: a dirt scoop having a volume defined by a plurality of walls, the dirt scoop having an open front portion for scooping material into the volume, and a rear wall opposite the open front portion; a frame having an upper member supporting the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, where the frame has a first end configured for attachment to a lift drive of the tractor so that operation of the lift drive results in a generally vertical movement of the frame while maintaining the frame in a generally level state; a latch mechanism disposed between the rear wall of the dirt scoop and the frame; and a spring-loaded pulley assembly having a pulley wheel in fixed relationship with the upper member of the frame, where the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, where operation of the lift drive increases tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is raised so as to automatically unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a given elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to rotate about the pivot connection and dump material in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion. 
         [0009]    Implementations of this further general aspect may include one or more of the following features. The apparatus where the given elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes: a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. A cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and where the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. The apparatus where the latch mechanism includes: a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a dirt scooping apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus with the dirt scoop positioned at a scooping elevation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus with the dirt scoop raised to an intermediate elevation for transport of its contents. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus with the dirt scoop apparatus raised to a dumping elevation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dirt scooping apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view showing the components and operation of one embodiment of the latch mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view showing an alternative manner in which the dirt scooping apparatus may be attached to the tractor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a dirt scooping apparatus  10  that is configured for attachment to a lift mechanism  20  of a vehicle, such as a tractor  30 . The dirt scooping apparatus  10  includes a dirt scoop  40  defining a volume. The dirt scoop  40  is pivotally supported at pivot connection  45  by a frame  50 . This allows the dirt scoop  40  to pivot on the frame  50  between a scooping angle and a dumping angle. 
         [0018]    The dirt scooping apparatus  10  also includes an interconnection assembly  60 . The interconnection assembly  60  includes a spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  and a latch mechanism  70 . The spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  extends between a rear portion  80  of the frame  50  and is attached, for example, to a fixed portion of the body  85  of the tractor  30 . The latch mechanism  70  extends from the rear portion  80  of the frame  50  and is releasably connected to a rear portion  100  of the dirt scoop  40 . A counterbalance spring  110  is used to bias the latch mechanism  70  toward a closed position in which the dirt scoop  40  is retained at the scooping angle. In this embodiment, the counterbalance spring  110  extends from latch mechanism  702  a projection  53  extending from the rear of the frame  50 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus  10  with the dirt scoop  40  driven by the lift mechanism  20  in the direction of arrow  75  to a scooping elevation. At the scooping elevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  is below a given threshold thereby allowing the latch mechanism  70  to engage the rear portion  100  and retain the dirt scoop  40  at the scooping angle. As the tractor  30  is driven in the direction shown by arrow  115 , dirt is scooped into the volume of the dirt scoop  40 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus  10  with the dirt scoop  40  raised by the lift mechanism  20  to an intermediate elevation. As the lift mechanism  20  elevates the dirt scoop  40  in the direction of arrow  77 , the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  increases. However, at the intermediate elevation shown in  FIG. 3 , the tension on the spring-loaded poorly assembly is still below the given threshold, and the latch mechanism  70  remains engaged with the rear portion  100  of the dirt scoop  40 . At this intermediate elevation, the tractor  30  may be driven to a location at which the contents of the dirt scoop  40  is to be dumped. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the dirt scooping apparatus  10  where it has been raised by the lift mechanism  20  to a dumping elevation. As the lift mechanism  20  raises the dirt scoop  40  from the intermediate elevation to the dumping elevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  increases. 
         [0022]    When the dirt scoop apparatus  10  reaches the dumping elevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  gets to a point at which it exceeds the given threshold. When the given threshold is exceeded, the latch mechanism  70  releases the rear portion  100  of the dirt scoop  40  to allow the dirt scoop  40  to pivot between the scooping angle and the dumping angle. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dirt scooping apparatus  10 . In this embodiment, the dirt scoop  40  includes a volume defined by a pan  120 , a plurality of sidewalls  130 , and a rear wall  140 . The sidewalls  130  slant toward an open front  133  of the dirt scoop  40  to define a digging edge with the front portion of the pan  120 . This digging edge configuration allows the dirt scoop  40  to cut into the dirt as it is moved by the tractor  30  at the scooping elevation. 
         [0024]    The frame  50  includes frame elements used to support the dirt scoop  40  and the latch mechanism  70 , as well as to connect the dirt scooping apparatus  10  to the lift mechanism  20  of the tractor  30 . In this embodiment, the frame  50  includes arch supports  150  connected at their lower ends by a pair of lower crossbar supports  160  and at their upper ends by a pair of upper crossbar supports  170 . Each of the lower crossbar supports  160  is connected to the dirt scoop  40  at a respective pivot joint  180  to allow the dirt scoop  40  to rotate on the frame  50  between the scooping angle and the dumping angle. 
         [0025]    The frame  50  of the dirt scooping apparatus  10  is configured to engage the arms of the lift mechanism  20  of the tractor  30 . Here, the lift mechanism  20  includes an active arm  190  connected to the upper crossbar supports  170  at a pivot joint  200 , and a pair of passive arms  210  connected to the lower crossbar supports  160  at respective pivot joints  220 . The active arm  190  may include, for example, a pneumatic drive, a hydraulic drive, etc., that operates to lengthen and retract the arm with respect to the tractor  30 . The frame  50  is raised and lowered using the active arm  190  and passive arms  210  while maintaining the frame  50  in a generally level state. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , the interconnection assembly  60  may include a spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . In the illustrated embodiment, the spring-loaded poorly assembly  65  includes a pulley cable  230  extending over a pulley wheel  240 , where the pulley wheel  240  is in fixed relationship with the upper crossbar supports  170 . A first end of the pulley cable  230  is configured to engage a first end of a tension adjustment mechanism  250 , shown here as a turnbuckle. A second end of the pulley cable  230  is configured to engage a first end of a tension spring  260 . The tension spring  260  is secured (i.e., welded) at its second end to the latch mechanism  70 . A further cable  270  extends from a second end of the tension adjustment mechanism  250  and is affixed to the body  85  of the tractor  30 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view showing the components and operation of the latch mechanism  70 . In this embodiment, the latch mechanism  70  includes a lever arm  290  having a fulcrum  300  in fixed relationship with the frame  50 . An opening  310  is used to connect the tension spring  260  and counterbalance spring  110  to a first end  315  of the lever arm  290 . A second end  320  of the lever arm  290  is configured to releasably engage a projection  325  extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop  40 . 
         [0028]    In operation, the total force applied to the first end  315  of the lever arm  290  depends on the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  and the tension on the counterbalance spring  110 . More particularly, the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  applies a force in the direction of arrow  330 , while the counterbalance spring  110  applies a force the direction of arrow  340 . There also may be frictional forces between the projection  325  and the second end  320  of the lever arm  290 . For this discussion, such frictional forces have been ignored. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the force in the direction of arrow  340  applied by the counterbalance spring  110  is greater than the force in the direction of arrow  330  applied by the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . As such, the second end  320  is engaged with the projection  325  (dotted outline) so that the dirt scoop  40  is retained at the scooping angle. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , the dirt scooping apparatus  10  has been raised to an intermediate elevation to transport the material in the dirt scoop  40  to another location for dumping. At this elevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  is increased, and the corresponding force in the direction of arrow  330  is likewise increased. However, the force in the direction of arrow  340  applied by the counterbalance spring  110  remains greater than the force in the direction of arrow  330  applied by the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . Therefore, the second end  320  is engaged with the projection  325  so that the dirt scoop  40  is still maintained at the scooping angle. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the dirt scooping apparatus  10  has been raised to the dumping elevation. At the dumping elevation, the tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly  225  has increased further, and the force in the direction of arrow  330  is greater than the force in the direction of arrow  340  applied by the counterbalance spring  110 . Therefore, the second end  320  disengages from the projection  325  so that the dirt scoop  40  may pivot about the frame  50  at pivot joint  45  to the dumping angle. 
         [0032]    The dumping elevation may be adjusted by increasing and decreasing the resting tension of the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tension adjustment mechanism  250 , in the form of a turnbuckle, is adjusted effectively to alter the length of the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . To raise the dumping elevation, the tension adjustment mechanism  250  is loosened to lengthen the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . To lower the dumping elevation, the tension adjustment mechanism  250  is tightened to shorten the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternative manner in which the dirt scooping apparatus  10  may be attached to the tractor  30 . Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  where the tractor  30  drives the dirt scoop apparatus  10  in the direction shown at arrow  350  to scoop dirt into the dirt scoop  40 , the tractor  30  drives the dirt scoop apparatus  10  in the direction shown at arrow  360  to scoop the dirt. Here, the active arm  190  is connected to the upper crossbar supports  170  at a pivot joint  370 , and the pair of passive arms  210  are connected to the lower crossbar supports  160  at respective pivot joints  380 . In this arrangement, the spring-loaded pulley assembly  65  is connected in a different manner than that shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , both ends of the pulley cable  230  extend away from one another over the pulley wheel  240 . However, in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , both ends of the pulley cable  230  extend in the same general direction (i.e., toward the tractor  30 ) over the pulley wheel  240 . In other respects, the operation of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  is similar to the operation of the other embodiments discussed above. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the dirt scooping apparatus  10 , both the front and the rear portion of the frame  50  are provided with projections for connection to the active arm  190  and passive arms  210  of the lift mechanism  20 . As such, a single dirt scooping apparatus  10  may be connected in either the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  or the configuration shown in  FIG. 7 .

Summary:
A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dirt scoop defining a volume, a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle, and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame. When the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop. The interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.