Abstract:
The improved material-handling bucket of the present invention includes a blade with scarifying teeth on the rear of the bucket. By raising the bucket and rolling the bucket backward, the blade and teeth can be made to engage the ground to provide grading and scarifying capabilities for a conventional loader bucket. The blade and scarifying teeth, however, do not interfere with the normal loading operations of the bucket.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to implements for use with tractors, skid steers and the like, and more specifically to a material-handling bucket for use as a loader on such vehicles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Material-handling buckets, or loaders, are common attachments for many types of equipment including tractors, skid steers, four wheelers and bulldozers. Loaders are most often attached to the front of such equipment with arms and hydraulic controls that allow the loader to be raised and lowered, and also rolled forward and backward. Although front-end loaders are designed for handling and transporting large amounts of bulk material, equipment operators typically use the loader for many other tasks.  
         [0003]     For example, the front-end loader may be used to dig and excavate earth and soil. Operators may also use the loader to grade and level soil or other surface material after digging or excavating. The loader may also be used to break up earth and soil prior to excavating or leveling. Although front-end loaders are commonly used for these tasks, present loader designs are not optimal for scraping, grading and scarifying surface material.  
         [0004]     When using the front-end loader on a tractor to dig or excavate soil, the front lip of the bucket is rotated downward and forced into the soil using the forward motion of the tractor. When the front lip of the bucket reaches the desired depth, the bucket is then rotated backwards so that the bottom of the bucket is level with the ground. Using the forward motion of the tractor, the soil can be dug and scooped into the bucket. However, when digging in this manner, the bucket blocks the operator&#39;s view of the digging area and makes it difficult for the operator to judge the optimal cutting depth.  
         [0005]     When using the front-end loader to grade or level soil, the rear edge of the bottom surface of the bucket may be placed on the ground and the bucket dragged backward to pull earth and soil behind the bucket. This method, however, has disadvantages because the design of conventional buckets does not allow for much soil to accumulate behind the bucket when used in this manner. Also, the rear surface of conventional buckets is not specifically designed and reinforced to provide for scraping and grading in this manner.  
         [0006]     The front edge of the bucket may also be used for scraping and grading. The front-end loader may be raised and the bucket rotated forward so that the bottom of the bucket is essentially vertical and the front edge of the bucket is in contact with the ground. The front edge of the bucket may then be dragged backward to pull earth and soil behind the bucket to grade the surface. This method also has disadvantages because tremendous torque is placed on the bucket when it is dragged backward in this position, creating undue wear and tear on the hydraulic cylinders that control the rotation of the bucket. The front edge of the bucket is also not specifically designed and reinforced to provide for scraping and grading in this manner.  
         [0007]     Although a front-end loader may be used to break up discrete amounts of soil, conventional front-end loaders are not capable of scarifying large amounts of soil. To break up discrete amounts of soil, the bucket may be rotated forward so that the bottom of the bucket is essentially vertical. The bucket can then be lowered to drive the front edge bucket into the ground and break up the soil. This procedure can be repeated with the vehicle moved incrementally to create a series of cuts in the ground. This procedure, however, is time consuming, ineffective for scarifying a large area of ground and utilizes the hydraulics of the front-end loader rather than the forward or backward motion of the vehicle to break up the soil. Conventional front-end loaders have no means for scarifying soil while the vehicle is in motion or for scarifying the ground parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle.  
         [0008]     The need for versatile implements capable of transporting material and also grading/scraping/scarifying has been recognized in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,499 issued to Griffin discloses a modified box scraper that is also capable of collecting, transporting and dumping soil or other bulk material. This implement, however, does not have the versatility or functional utility of a conventional loader. Also, collected material must be manually dumped by activating a lever that releases the bottom wall of the collection box. Thus, although the disclosed implement is apparently effective for conventional scraping and grading, it does not provide the recognized benefits and utility of a conventional loader.  
         [0009]     The need for scarifying teeth in combination with other functional features of an implement is also recognized in the prior art. Box graters/scrapers with scarifying teeth are common implements for tractors. These implements are typically attached to the rear three-point hitch on a tractor and pulled behind the tractor to break up, grate and level soil and other surface material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,625 issued to Keigley also discloses a rake implement for use with a skid steer that also includes removable scarifying teeth behind the rake. As noted by Keigley, the scarifying teeth “permit deep penetration and scarifying of the earth while still permitting the tines comprising the rake blade to level and work the soil.” However, although the benefit of combining scarifying teeth with other functional features of a tractor or skid steer implement has been recognized, scarifying teeth have not been effectively utilized in combination with a conventional loader.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a loader that is capable of more effectively digging, grading and scarifying surface material.  
         [0011]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a loader that is less subject to undue wear and tear when used for digging, grading and scarifying surface material.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a grader blade component for a conventional loader that does not interfere with the normal operation of the loader.  
         [0013]     An additional object of the present invention is to provide scarifying teeth for a conventional loader that do not interfere with the normal operation of the loader.  
         [0014]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combination grader blade with scarifying teeth for a conventional loader that does not interfere with the normal operation of the loader.  
         [0015]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a grader blade, scarifying teeth, or a combination grader blade with scarifying teeth that may be added to an existing loader or other conventional implement that does not interfere with the normal operation of the implement.  
         [0016]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for digging, grading, scraping and/or scarifying earth with a conventional front-end loader.  
         [0017]     Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a combination loader/grader/scraper that is economical to manufacture, durable and refined in appearance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a blade with scarifying teeth on the rear surface of a conventional loader bucket. By rolling the bucket backward, the rear blade can be placed in contact with or inserted into the ground. In this position, the rear blade can also be dragged backward for scraping and grading. By rolling the bucket further backward, the scarifying teeth can be made to engage the ground with the blade in contact with the surface of the ground. Thus, when the rear blade is dragged backward in this position, the scarifying teeth break up the soil in advance of the blade. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bucket may be rolled still further backward so that the scarifying teeth engage the ground with the blade raised from the ground. When dragged backward or pushed forward in this position, the scarifying teeth may be used to break up the ground without simultaneously grading or collecting the scarified ground.  
         [0019]     The rear scraping and scarifying blade does not interfere with normal operation of the loader. When material is scooped into the bucket with the bottom of the loader level to the ground or titled forward, the rear blade does not engage the ground. When the loader is lifted and tilted backward when transporting material, and when the loader is dumped, the rear blade remains out of the way at the rear of the bucket. Thus, the rear blade does not obstruct movement or rotation of the loader bucket, and also does not interfere with material being collected or dumped from the bucket.  
         [0020]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage of improving the grading and earth leveling capabilities of a conventional loader without interfering with the normal operation of the loader. This and other advantages will become apparent as this specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the improved material-handling bucket with scraper blade and scarifying teeth of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the improved material-handling bucket of the present invention with the bucket placed on the ground.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the improved material-handling bucket of the present invention with the bucket rolled back to engage the blade with the ground for grading and leveling.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the improved material-handling bucket of the present invention with the bucket rolled back still further so that the scarifying teeth engage the ground. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     The present invention may be used with any vehicle having the means to raise and lower, and also rotate forward and backward, a material-handling bucket. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is intended for use as a front-end loader such as those mounted on the front or forward end of a tractor or skid steer, those of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention is equally adaptable for use with other types of loaders. For example, the present invention may be used with a loader mounted on the rear of a tractor. The present invention may also be used with loaders mounted on other vehicles including four wheelers and bulldozers. However, for descriptive purposes, the present invention will be described in use on a front-end loader.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a material-handling bucket  10  of the present invention. The bucket  10  includes mounts  12  for pivotally attaching the bucket to vertically movable arms (not shown) about a pivot point. The arms are in turn connected to a tractor, skid steer or other vehicle (not shown) about another pivot point. The bucket  10  may be raised and lowered in relation to the vehicle by the vertically movable arms. By further means well known in the art, the bucket  10  may also be rolled forward and backward. The bucket is typically raised and lowered, and also rolled forward and backward, with hydraulic cylinders (not shown), although other means are well known in the art. Finally, the bucket  10  may be moved horizontally by movement of the vehicle to which it is attached, but other means for horizontal movement of the bucket  10  are also contemplated and within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0027]     The bucket  10  includes a first side panel  20 , a second side panel  22 , a bottom panel  24 , an upper rear panel  26  and a lower rear panel  28 . The front edge  30  of the bucket  10  is also identified in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]     The bucket  10  of the present invention also includes a blade  32  mounted on the rear panel  26 . The blade  32  is preferably welded to the lower rear panel  28  and supported by upper braces  34  and lower braces  36  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) welded to the blade  30  and the lower rear panel  28 . The blade  30  also includes a plurality of scarifying teeth  38  welded to the blade  32 .  
         [0029]     Other means for attaching the blade  32  and scarifying teeth  38  to the bucket  10  will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, the blade may be bolted to supports attached to the bucket  10 , allowing the blade to be easily replaced if it should become worn or broken during use. The scarifying teeth may also be bolted in place so that they can be easily replaced either individually or as a set. The blade and teeth may also be connected to the bucket  10  by means of pins or other connectors that allow them to be easily interchanged with blades and/or teeth of different sizes or grades, as is well known in the art of tractor and skid steer implements.  
         [0030]     The blade  32  may also be constructed so that it is integral with the bucket  10 . For example, the upper rear panel  26  could be extended beyond the joint  40  shown in  FIGS. 2-4  to create a rear blade portion that extends from the rear of the bucket  10 . Such an extension of upper rear panel  26 , or other extensions or modifications to the components of bucket  10 , would be within the scope of the present invention and readily apparent to those of skill in the art.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the blade  32  and scarifying teeth  38  do not engage the ground  42  when the bottom  24  of the bucket  10  is placed on the ground  42 . In this position, the bucket  10  may be moved forward to collect material in the bucket  10 . The bucket may then be lifted from the ground  42  for transport of the material, and the material dumped from the bucket  10 , all without interference or obstruction from the blade  32  and scarifying teeth  38 .  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bucket  10  may be rolled backward slightly so that the blade  32  contacts the ground  42  but the bottom panel  24  of the bucket  10  does not contact the ground  42 . Although the blade  32  is in contact with the ground  42 , the scarifying teeth  38  do not engage the ground  42 . In this position, the bucket  10  and blade  32  may be pulled backward by the vehicle to grade and level the ground  42  with the blade  32 . The blade  32  may also be lowered into the ground  42  in this position and pulled backward to dig into the ground  42 .  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bucket  10  may be rolled backward still further so that the blade  32  contacts the ground  42  and the scarifying teeth  38  engage the ground  42 . In this position, the bucket  10  and blade  32  may be pulled backward by the vehicle so that the scarifying teeth  38  break up the ground  42  in advance of the blade  32 .  
         [0034]     Depending upon the means by which the bucket  10  is attached to a vehicle, the bucket  10  may be rolled backward even further when used with some vehicles so that the scarifying teeth  38  engage the ground  42  but the blade  32  is raised from the ground. In this position, the scarifying teeth  38  may be used to break up the ground without simultaneously grading or collecting the scarified ground. The vehicle may then easily collect the scarified ground in the bucket  10  on a return pass.  
         [0035]     The inventors contemplate several modifications that may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention that fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the blade  32  may be implemented and used without scarifying teeth  38 . The scarifying teeth  38  may also be used according to the present invention without the blade  32 . It is contemplated that the scarifying teeth  38  may be connected directly to the bucket  10  by any number of means known to those of skill in the art. In this embodiment, the scarifying teeth  38  would remain effective for breaking up earth and soil with a loader or other implement.  
         [0036]     It is further contemplated that the rear blade of the present invention may be used in connection with other farm, construction and landscaping implements. For example, the rear blade of the present invention could be attached to the rear of a dozer blade so that, when the dozer blade is raised and rotated backward, the rear blade, with or without scarifying teeth, could be placed in contact with the ground. In this position, the rear blade could be dragged backwards to grade and level ground. The rear blade with scarifying teeth could be dragged backwards to break up and scarify the ground. Then, when the dozer blade is rotated forward and lowered, the scarified ground could be dozed. The rear blade of the present invention would thus be a useful addition to almost any implement that can be raised and lowered, and also rolled forward and backward.  
         [0037]     Other alterations, variations, and combinations are possible that fall within the scope of the present invention. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, those skilled in the art will recognize other modifications that may be made that would nonetheless fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the apparatus and method described. Instead, the scope of the present invention should be consistent with the invention claimed below.