Abstract:
An tool adapted for attachment to a double pin mounting structure of the type that is commonly employed on excavator or backhoe type machines or vehicles. The tool is a bucket assembly with a grapple-like tine assembly mounted thereto and controlled by hydraulic actuators. The bucket assembly is mounted to a boom of a backhoe, for example, utilizing a single assembly composed of a hydraulic actuator and coupling members to attach to the double pin mounting structure on the tool. The bucket assembly is mounted on the boom to provide extended movement relative to the boom, and the grapple-like tine assembly is mounted to the bucket assembly for full closure and to enable near full opening relative to the bucket assembly. The tine assembly may be actuated by a pair of hydraulic actuators mounted adjacent one or both sides of the bucket assembly via a free floating bell crank for each pair of hydraulic actuators.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tools for heavy duty equipment such as backhoes or excavators, particularly to an improved bucket assembly for such equipment, and more particularly to a bucket assembly having a grapple like tine assembly mounted thereto and wherein the bucket assembly is mounted to an equipment boom via a double pin mounting structure and a single hydraulic actuator/linkage assembly. 
     Tools of various types are removably mounted on various types of heavy equipment utilized in construction, logging operations, demolition and other industrial fields. The tools are removably mounted on booms which are mounted on the equipment, generally of a wheeled or endless track type. The removable tools involved include buckets, grapples, earth compactors, hydraulic hammers, etc., and the equipment on which they are mounted employs a main boom pivotably mounted thereto with a dipper stick mounted on the end of a main boom to which the tool is removably attached. U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,604 issued Nov. 2, 1999 to R.H. Wolin et al describes and illustrates a grapple with a universal attachment mechanism which includes a double pin mounting structure. 
     The present invention constitutes an improvement over the grapple of the above referenced Patent No. 5,975,604 which comprises a bucket assembly having a grapple-like tine assembly mounted thereto and controlled by one or more pair of hydraulic actuators. The improved tool of the present invention is adapted to be mounted to a boom or dipper-stick of a piece of equipment or machine such as a backhoe or excavator, via a double pin mounting structure and a single actuator/linkage arrangement. The single actuator/linkage arrangement enables wider movement or swing of the tool than equipment utilizing dual actuator and/or linkage arrangements. The grapple-type tine assembly is constructed and mounted to the bucket assembly via a bell crank free floating about its axis which enables greater movement or opening of the tine assembly relative to the bucket assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved removably mounted tool for equipment. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bucket assembly for removably mounting to equipment. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a bucket assembly in combination with a grapple-like tine assembly. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bucket assembly removably mounted to a boom or dipper stick of a piece of equipment via a single actuator/linkage assembly to enable wider movement or rotation of the bucket. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bucket/tine assembly wherein the tine assembly is mounted to the bucket so as to enable near full extended movement relative to the bucket. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a bucket/tine assembly which may be controlled by one or two pairs of hydraulic actuators, each pair of actuators being mounted via a free floating bell crank which is free floating about its axis. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bucket/grapple removably mounted to a boom or dipper stick of a piece of equipment via a single actuator/linkage assembly to enable wider movement or rotation of the bucket while having a continuous constant grasping force throughout the bucket rotation, which provides control and safety of material handling while providing increased movement of the bucket and grapple of the assembly. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a bucket/grapple assembly removably mounted to a boom or dipper stick via a single actuator/linkage assembly to enable the bucket/grapple to perform grasping of material over a greater distance from the equipment on which the assembly is mounted. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the equipment operator with fewer controls to operate the bucket/grapple assembly in that the grasping force of the assembly is activated by a common hydraulic circuit which is entirely independent of the single actuator/linkage assembly which changes the bucket rotation position relative to the dipper stick mounted on a boom of the equipment. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the piece of equipment on which the bucket/grapple assembly is mounted with means to enable the bucket/grapple assembly to be dismounted from the dipper stick or boom by removal of two pins in a mounting structure. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide grapple movement in relation to the bucket so as to have the ability to open and close the same relationship in all positions of the bucket regardless of the bucket position in relation to the dipper stick or boom except when the bucket is nearly closed against the dipper stick or boom. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed to an improved bucket assembly adapted to be removably mounted to a piece of equipment. The improved bucket assembly comprises a bucket in combination with a grapple-like tine assembly. The bucket assembly is constructed to be removably coupled to the equipment by a double pin mounting structure and by a single assembly composed of a hydraulic actuator and coupling or linkage members which enable a wider movement or rotation of the bucket assembly. The grapple-like tine assembly is movably mounted to the bucket via at least one bell crank which is free floating about its access and is controlled by at least one pair of hydraulic actuators. The tine assembly is mounted to the bucket to enable full closure and near full opening relative to the bucket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the disclosure, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a partially broken away perspective view of the grapple assembly of Patent No. 5,975,604. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially broken away perspective view of an embodiment of the improved bucket assembly of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the single actuator/coupling assembly mounting the improved bucket assembly to a boom or dipper stick of a piece of equipment with the grapple-like tine assembly of the bucket assembly being shown in full open and full closed positions. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate the apparatus of FIGS. 3A and 3B with a pair of hydraulic actuators and a free floating bell crank connecting the bucket and the tine assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, exploded view of another embodiment of the improved bucket assembly which includes two pair of hydraulic actuators and two bell cranks. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 5 (with components omitted for clarity) in its fully closed position and illustrating the location of all the components of the improved bucket assembly. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically illustrate control circuits for the single pair and double pair of hydraulic actuators. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention involves an improved bucket assembly for use with heavy equipment such as backhoes or excavators. The present invention comprises an improvement and modification over the grapple assembly of above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,604 (shown in FIG. 1) and each utilizes a double pin attachment structure for removably attaching to a boom or dipper stick of the equipment or machine on which it is to be utilized. The improved bucket assembly is attached to and controlled by a single actuator/linkage assembly mounted to the boom or dipper stick. By the use of the single actuator/linkage assembly, the improved bucket assembly has wider movement or rotation capabilities compared to buckets attached by dual boom/tool connector assemblies commonly utilized in the prior art. The grapple-like tine assembly of the improved bucket assembly is constructed and coupled to the bucket to enable full closure and nearly full opening relative to the bucket. The tine assembly is mounted and controlled via a pair of hydraulic actuators and a bell crank which is free floating about its axis mounted to the bucket, but two pair of hydraulic actuators and two bell cranks may be utilized. The control circuits for a pair and two pair of hydraulic actuators are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a grapple assembly disclosed in above referenced Patent No. 5,975,604 of which the present invention, an embodiment of which is shown in FIG.  2  and which comprises an improved bucket assembly, includes a grapple-like tine assembly with hydraulic actuators similar to a tine assembly and actuators of FIG.  1 . Basically, it may be considered that the improved bucket assembly of FIG. 2 is a modification of the grapple assembly of FIG. 1 wherein a bucket replaces one set of tines. As in the grapple assembly of FIG. 1, the improved bucket assembly of FIG. 2 utilizes a double pin mounting structure. Thus, the improved bucket assembly is universal in application in that it is compatible for attachment with substantially all of the different double pin mounting systems in the industry and/or other types of mounting devices in the industry. The main and linkage pins of the bucket assembly can be easily changed at the job site using small hand tools. The bucket assembly of this invention can either be directly attached to the opening on the machine&#39;s boom or dipper stick, or it can be attached to a two pin quick coupler device available in the industry that may be in use on the boom. 
     The invention also enables the operator to have a greater degree of flexibility and more complete control over movement of the bucket assembly. The same control lever in the operator&#39;s compartment that would be used for rotating the excavating bucket through its range of movement is used to control the forward and reverse pitch of the grapple-like tine assembly through the same range of movement. 
     Because the mounting configuration of the invention is the same as the standard excavating bucket, the improved bucket assembly of the present invention can be used for light or heavy excavation work. Because the actuators for the bucket and tine assemblies may be located within a housing, the hydraulic lines from those actuators only need to be connected to the accessory control circuit of the machine. The location of the actuators, when not located within a housing, also protect the hydraulic cylinders and bell crank from damage. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the grapple assembly, broadly described hereinafter and generally indicated at  10 , includes a double pin mounting structure (generally indicated at  11 ) and two sets of grapple tines or members  12  and  13 , the sets  12  and  13  in this embodiment having five and four tines indicated at  14 , with tips  14 ′ and separators  14 ″. Two pair of actuator assemblies for the sets of tines are mounted within two housings  15 - 16  at each end of the sets of tines (only one housing  16  being shown), the double pin mounting structure  11  being located intermediate housings  15 , with a wall  17  forming a common wall and in which pins  18  and  19  are mounted. The actuator assemblies mounted in housings  15 - 16  at each end of the sets of tines  12  and  13  (only one actuator assembly shown) basically includes a pin  20 , a bell crank  21 , and a pair of hydraulic actuators  22  and  23 . Pin  20  is operatively mounted to bucket  32  and is pivotably connected to one segment or arm of bell crank  21 , with hydraulic actuator  22  mounted intermediate pin  20  and a connector  24  mounted to grapple tine set  12 . A central segment of bell crank  21  is pivotably mounted to grapple tine set  12  via a pin  25 , and another segment or arm of bell crank  21  is pivotably mounted by pin  26  to hydraulic actuator  23  which is mounted to grapple tine set  13  via a connector  27 . For further details of the FIG. 1 grapple assembly, reference is made to the above referenced Patent No. 5,975,604. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the improved bucket assembly of the present invention and, which when compared to FIG. 1, basically involves replacement of one of the sets of tines with a bucket and a change in the construction of the double pin mounting structure. As shown, the FIG. 2 embodiment (generally indicated at  30 ) basically comprises a double pin mounting structure  31 , a bucket  32  and a grapple-like tine assembly  33  having four tines  34  with tips  35  and spacer members  36 , and constructed similar to the embodiment of tine set  13  in FIG.  1 . Bucket  32  is provided with a plurality of tips  37  (only one shown in FIG. 2 but with five shown in FIG.  6 ). A pair of housings  38  are mounted to the bucket on each side of mounting structure  31  and include a common face or side plate  39 . A pair of housings  40  are mounted to the tine assembly  33  (only one of which is shown) and within each set of housings  38  and  40  are mounted to hydraulic actuators  41  and  42  (only one set being shown). Housings  38  each include a removable top plate  43  retained by bolts or screws  44  which are secured to a member (not shown) adjacent support members  45  of mounting structure  31  which supports removable pins  46  and  47 . Hydraulic actuators  41  and  42  are each pivotably mounted at one end to pins  48  and  49  which are mounted in legs of a bell crank assembly  50 , with actuator  41  being pivotably mounted at the opposite end to bucket  32  by a connector assembly  51  and actuator  42  pivotably mounted at the opposite end to tine assembly  33  via a connector assembly  52 . Bell crank assembly  50  is pivotably mounted on a pin  53  which is mounted to bucket  32  (as seen more clearly in FIG.  6 ). While not shown in FIG. 2, a corresponding hydraulic actuator/bell crank arrangement is mounted at the other end of bucket  32  and tine assembly  33 . Also, if desired, only one hydraulic actuator/bell crank arrangement may be utilized. 
     In operation, with hydraulic actuator  41  being mounted to bucket  32 , actuation thereof changes the position of bell crank assembly  50 , which in turn changes the position of hydraulic actuator  42  and tine assembly  33 , whereby actuation of hydraulic actuator  42  enables the tine assembly  33  to open to a near full position relative to bucket  32  (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B and  4 A- 4 B) as described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     FIGS. 3A-3B and  4 A- 4 B illustrate an embodiment of the improved bucket assembly generally similar to that of FIG.  2  and the mounting thereof to a boom of a machine such as a backhoe of excavator, with FIGS. 4A-4B illustrating the hydraulic actuators for the bucket/tine assembly. FIGS. 3A and 4A show the tine assembly in an open position relative to the bucket. As shown, the improved bucket assembly (generally indicated at  60 ) includes a bucket  61 , a grapple-like tine assembly  62  and a double pin mounting structure  63  having removable pins  64  and  65 , with pin  65  being pivotably mounted to a boom or dipper stick  66  and pin  64  pivotably mounted to an actuator/linkage assembly  67 . As discussed above, the use of a single actuator/linkage assembly instead of dual assemblies commonly used in the prior art enables a wider movement or rotation of the bucket assembly  60  than can be had with a dual actuator/linkage assembly. Actuator/linkage assembly  67  comprises a hydraulic actuator  68  pivotably mounted at one end via a connector member  69  and pin  69 ′ to boom  66  and pivotably mounted at the opposite end to ends of a pair of links or members  70  and  71  via a pin  68 ′ with link  70  pivotably mounted at an opposite end via a pin  72  to boom  66 , and with link  71  pivotably connected at the opposite end to pin  64  of mounting structure  63 . Thus, activation of actuator  68  causes pivotable movement of bucket assembly  60  about pin  65  and boom  66 . Grapple-like tine assembly  62  includes a plurality of tines  73  (four in this embodiment as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6) which are pivotably mounted to bucket  61  via a connector  74  and pin  75 . Each of tines  73  of tine assembly  62  includes a tip  76  which, when in a closed position (as shown in FIG.  3 B), is located intermediate a pair of tips  77  on bucket  61 , with bucket  61  including five tips  77  in this embodiment (as seen in FIG.  6 ). Tines  73  are each provided with a pin  78  to which a hydraulic actuator is pivotably mounted (as shown in FIGS.  4 A- 4 B). Also, tines  73  of tine assembly  62  is provided with spacers or members  81 ,  82  and  83  (as seen in FIGS.  5  and  6 ). 
     FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the improved bucket assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B with hydraulic actuators for the grapple-like tine assembly  62 , and thus corresponding components are given like reference numerals. As seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pair of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85  are interconnected via a bell crank  86  to bucket  61  and tine assembly  62 . Actuator  84  is pivotably mounted at one end via a connector  87  and pin  88  to bucket  61  and mounted pivotably at the opposite end to a leg or segment of bell crank  86  via pin  89 . Actuator  85  is pivotably mounted at one end via pin  90  to a leg or segment of bell crank  86  and pivotably mounted at the opposite end to tine assembly  62  via pin  78 . Bell crank  86  is pivotably mounted to bucket′  61  via connector  74  and pin  75 . Thus, actuation of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85  via the bell crank  86  enables positioning of the tine assembly  62  relative to bucket  61  at any position from a fully open position (seen in FIG. 4A) to a fully closed position (seen in FIG.  4 B). 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, exploded view of the embodiment of the improved bucket assembly of FIGS. 3A-3B and  4 A- 4 B illustrating the mounting of the free floating bell crank assemblies and the mounting of the tines of the grapple-like tine assembly to the bucket. Corresponding components of FIG. 5 to those of FIGS. 4A-4B are given corresponding reference numerals. Bucket  61  attaches to the double pin mounting structure (generally indicated at  63 ) composed of a pair of spaced plates  91  and  92  which are welded or otherwise secured to bucket  61  and in which are pairs of spaced openings  93  and  94  through which mounting pins  64  and  65  are removably located. Bell crank assemblies  86  are pivotably mounted via pins  75  intermediate adjacent pairs of connectors  74  mounted on bucket  61 . Hydraulic actuators  84  are pivotably mounted at one end to bell crank assemblies  86  via pins  89  and to a connector  87  (only one shown) composed of members  95  and  96  via pin  88 . Hydraulic actuators  85  are pivotably mounted at one end to bell crank assemblies  86  via pins  90  and intermediate a pair of tines  73  via pins  78  (only one shown). Each of the four tines  73  include a bushing or bearing  97  in openings  98  at the ends thereof for connection to the connectors  74  by pins  75  and bushings or bearing  99  (only  2  shown) in openings  100  in tines  73  for mounting of hydraulic actuators  85  to the tines via pins  78 . Members  95  and  96  of connector  87  are provided with bushings or bearings in openings  101  there (only one shown) into which pins  88  extend. Each of connectors  74  include openings  102  and bushings or bearings  103  (only one shown) through which pins  75  extend. Bell cranks  86  include bearings or bushings  104  in openings  105 . In FIG. 5, a lower portion of the two center tines  73  have been omitted for clarity to illustrate spaces or members  81 ,  82  and  83  positioned intermediate adjacent pairs of tines  73 . For certain applications, the lower portions of the two central tines  73  may be omitted (as shown in FIG. 6) to enable use of only the two outer tines  73 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the improved bucket assembly of FIG. 5 in assembled form and with the lower portions of the two central tines of the grapple-like tine assembly omitted. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the housings covering the hydraulic actuators have been omitted and the configuration of the double pin mounting structure changed along with the configuration of the tines. However, the operation of the FIGS. 2 and 6 embodiments are the same. In addition, as set forth above, in FIG. 6 one set of hydraulic actuators and one bell crank assembly may be omitted. Since the components of FIG. 6 are the same as in FIG. 5, like reference numerals are utilized with the only principal difference therebetween being that the bucket and the grapple-like tine assembly are shown in their fully closed position and the multiple spacers or members  81  and  82  of FIG. 5 are shown in FIG. 6 as being single spacers  81 ′ and  82 ′. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a hydraulic control system for the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6, with FIG. 7 being directed to a single pair of hydraulic actuators (as discussed above), and FIG. 8 directed to the two sets or pairs of actuators (as shown in FIG.  6 ). Components in FIGS. 7 and 8 corresponding to components in FIG. 6 are given corresponding reference numerals. The hydraulic systems of FIGS. 7 and 8 enable control of the grapple-like tine assembly by a single control lever in the operator&#39;s compartment independent of the controls for the boom or the bucket. The control system of each of FIGS. 7 and 8 (generally indicated at  108  and  108 ′) include a source of fluid pressure comprising a fluid reservoir  110  connected by a conduit  111  to a hydraulic pump  112 . Fluid pressurized by the pump is directed by conduit  113  into a flow control valve  114  having a spool  115  which is moved axially between positions by a control  116 . A first conduit  118  leading from the control valve  114  is coupled with conduits  119  and  120  which are connected to rod ends  121  of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85 . In FIG. 8, the first conduit  118  is also connected via conduits  122 ,  123  and  124  to the rod ends  121  of the second pair of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85 . A second conduit  125  leading from the control valve  114  is connected to conduits  126  and  127  to the head ends  128  of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85 . In FIG. 8, the conduit  125  is additionally connected via conduits  129 ,  130  and  131  to the head ends  128  of the second pair of hydraulic actuators  84  and  85 . The control  116  can be operated by a push button, for example, on a control stick (not shown) in the operator&#39;s compartment used to control the hydraulic actuator  68  on the boom or dipper stick  66  of FIG.  4 A- 4 B. To close the grapple-like tine assembly (as shown in FIGS.  4 B and  6 ), the control  116  is operated to move spool sector  132  into alignment with conduits  118  and  125  so that fluid is directed via conduit  125 , etc. into the cylinder head ends  128  of the actuators  84  and  85  for extending the rods thereof (as seen in FIGS.  4 B and  6 ). Return fluid from the rod ends  121  is directed back to the reservoir through conduit  118 . When the control  116  is actuated to bring spool sector  133  into alignment with conduits  118  and  125 , pressurized fluid is directed via line  118 , etc. to the rod ends  121  of the actuators  84  and  85  for retracting the rods of the actuators, where return fluid from the head ends  128  of the actuators is directed back to the reservoir  110  via conduit  125 . The neutral position is when the control  116  moves spool sector  134  into alignment with conduits  118  and  125  so that pressurized fluid from pump  112  is recycled (as indicated by arrow  135 ) back to reservoir  110 . 
     The grasping force of the bucket/grapple is activated by the accessory control valve in the equipment operator&#39;s compartment, which is separate from the bucket attitude single actuator control. The grasping force of the bucket/grapple, once applied, is not interrupted or lessened by movement of the bucket position. 
     The bucket/grapple assembly mounting structure enables the dipper stick or boom to be clean and unobstructed while other tools are mounted on the equipment. If the equipment is equipped with a quick coupling device (available in the industry), the bucket/grapple assembly can be dismounted without removal of any pins, just disconnect hydraulic conduits which supply fluid to the actuators of the bucket/grapple assembly. 
     It has thus been shown that the present invention provides an improved bucket assembly which includes a grapple-like tine assembly mounted to the bucket assembly and controlled by one or two pairs of hydraulic actuators whereby the tine assembly may be controlled to position same in various locations relative to the bucket from a full open position to a fully closed position. The bucket assembly is attached to the boom of a machine via a single actuator/linkage assembly whereby the bucket assembly has a greater movement or swing compared to equipment utilizing two actuator/linkage assemblies on the boom. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, such are not intended to be limiting. Modifications and changes may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.