Patent Publication Number: US-2020291602-A1

Title: Attachment system for vehicle bucket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/819,310, filed Mar. 15, 2019. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein relates to a yard care attachment system for a vehicle with a bucket, such as yard tractors and similar compact tractors, and, more specifically, a yard care attachment system for a vehicle with a bucket that may be used for multiple purposes by including various types of apparatuses or devices, including, but not limited to, as a leaf collector for lawn care and yard debris (such as grass and plant clippings) and leaf removal purposes, a mobile scaffold to allow access to elevated areas, an auger for digging holes, a snow blade for plowing snow, a water tank for watering vegetation, a trencher for digging trenches, and other similar outdoor equipment uses. 
     The present invention provides an attachment system that may be removably, but strongly and securely, attached to the bucket of the vehicle. The attachment system includes a frame that is configured to the specific yard equipment or device that the user desires to attach to the bucket of the vehicle with the attachment system, two bucket adapter arms, and two swing arms which securely attach the attachment system, as well as the yard equipment or device into which the attachment system is incorporated, to the bucket of the vehicle by effectively surrounding the bucket. 
     In one exemplar use of a device with the attachment system of the present invention, the attachment system is included as part of a leaf collector and leaves and other yard debris may be blown into the leaf collector with a standard leaf blower, such as a typical gas or electric powered portable leaf blower, or the collector may be loaded by the user through other means, such as manual raking. The leaves and yard debris may then be transported to a disposal location with the vehicle and be disposed of by dumping or otherwise removing the leaves or debris from the collector by operating the vehicle&#39;s bucket. 
     In the prior art, there have been several different methods to mechanically collect leaves and other yard debris for disposal. The most common is a yard vacuum in the form of a hand-held vacuum, most typically using an alternative configuration of a leaf blower, or a vacuum trailer that is pulled behind a lawn tractor or mower. While hand-held vacuums are cheap and easy to use, they have very limited capacities and have to be emptied very frequently during use. On the other hand, the much higher capacity vacuum trailers are much more expensive, require a lawn tractor or mower to utilize, and often require special attachments to mower decks that can interfere with the use of the included clipping exit chute or mulcher of the mower deck. 
     However, there is a need for a leaf collector that includes an attachment system that is easily and securely attached to the bucket of a vehicle and allows leaves or other yard debris to be loaded into the collector using a standard leaf blower, such as a typical gas or electric powered portable leaf blower, without the leaves blowing through or out of the collector as they are loaded. Using such a collector, the leaves or yard debris can be loaded into the collector, held within, and then transported directly to a disposal area and emptied by operating the bucket of the vehicle. 
     Likewise, there are also many prior art options for the manual removal of leaves and other yard debris. The simplest method is to manually rake leaves or yard debris into a pile and then pick the materials up by hand and either load them into bags or other similar containers for disposal or dispose of the materials directly by carrying them to the disposal area. Another method is to lay a tarp or similar mesh or fabric sheet on the ground, rake leaves or other yard debris onto the tarp or sheet and then pull the tarp or sheet to the disposal location on the ground and flip over the tarp or sheet to drop the leaves or debris in the disposal area. Likewise, if the leaves or debris must be loaded in a vehicle or trailer to transport for disposal, the tarp or sheet can be pulled onto the trailer or vehicle and then flipped over to drop the leaves or debris in the disposal area. Finally, there are also slide-type or fold up apparatuses that the leaves or debris can be raked onto and then lifted, moved to the disposal area (or trailer or vehicle for transport), and then emptied by angling the apparatus. 
     There are similar prior art options for the other uses of the attachment system of the present invention in terms of the device using the attachment system to attach to the bucket of a vehicle, including, but not limited to, the mobile scaffold, snow blade, water tank, trencher, and other similar outdoor equipment. However, none of these prior art devices allow universal attachment of such devices to a bucket of a vehicle in general. Instead, they require purpose-built attachments that allow the attachment of such devices or attachments only to certain predetermined or preconfigured vehicles. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a general multi-purpose yard care attachment system that can be attached to a vehicle with a bucket, such as a yard tractor or similar compact tractor, which allows devices for various uses to be secured to the bucket of a vehicle. That is, there is a need for a truly universal attachment system for a vehicle bucket. The present invention satisfies such a need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an attachment system for a vehicle with a bucket, such as yard tractors and similar compact tractors, and, more specifically, an attachment system for a vehicle with a bucket that may be used for multiple purposes by including various types of apparatus, including, but not limited to, as a leaf collector for lawn care and yard debris (such as grass and plant clippings) and leaf removal purposes, a mobile scaffold to allow access to elevated areas, an auger for digging holes, a snow blade for plowing snow, a water tank for watering vegetation, a trencher for digging trenches, and other similar outdoor equipment uses. 
     The attachment system of the present invention includes a frame that is configured to the specific yard equipment or device that the user desires to attach to the bucket of the vehicle with the attachment system (which includes at least two vertical framing members, a plurality of bottom horizontal framing members, and at least one top horizontal framing member), two bucket adapter arms, and two swing arms which securely attach the attachment system to the bucket of the vehicle by effectively surrounding the bucket. 
     The frame includes a total of at least two vertical framing members, which will typically be in the form of two back vertical framing member. Alternatively, the frame may also include two back vertical framing members. The frame also includes a total of at least five horizontal framing members—front and back bottom horizontal framing members, two side bottom horizontal framing members, and one back top horizontal framing member. Alternatively, the frame may also include three additional horizontal framing members—a front top horizontal framing member and two side top horizontal framing members. 
     The frame may also include a horizontal cross-member that extends horizontally between the two back vertical framing members at the approximate height of the top of the bucket of the vehicle. 
     The bucket adapter arms of the attachment system of the present invention are secured to the underside of the bottom of the frame, with each arm extended outward from the frame and under the bucket of the vehicle. The bucket adapter arms also include a bucket stop on each arm which rests against the front of the bucket when the attachment system is secured to the bucket of a vehicle. 
     The two swing arms of the attachment system are attached to the back vertical framing members of the frame through a pivot point, such that the swing arms may rotate relative to the frame. When the attachment system is not attached to the bucket of a vehicle, the swing arms may be rotated and raised until the swing arms are vertical and parallel to, and adjacent to, the back vertical framing members of the frame. When the attachment system has been attached to the bucket of the vehicle, the swing arms have been rotated downward, such that the swing arms contact the angular back side of the bucket of the vehicle, and are secured to the ends of the bucket adapter arms by extending a attachment bolt through a face plate mounted on the swing arms and securing the attachment bolt to the bucket adapter arms. 
     While the general attachment system of the present invention is discussed above, it is also instructive to discuss an exemplar embodiment of a specific lawn care device using the general attachment system of the present invention. The exemplar embodiment that will be described herein is a leaf collector for lawn care and yard debris (such as grass and plant clippings) and leaf removal purposes. Using the attachment system of the present invention, the leaf collector may be removably attached to the bucket of the vehicle and leaves and other yard debris may be blown into the leaf collector with a standard leaf blower, such as a typical gas or electric powered portable leaf blower, or the collector may be loaded by the user through other means, such as manual raking. 
     Such a leaf collector including the attachment system of the present invention comprises a cube or cuboid shaped frame, a base or floor, two French-style doors, two bucket adapter arms or bucket rest arms, two swing arms, and webbing or mesh walls. 
     The frame of such a leaf collector includes a total of four vertical framing members—two front vertical framing members and two back vertical framing members. The frame also includes a total of eight horizontal framing members—front and back bottom horizontal framing members, two side bottom horizontal framing members, front and back top horizontal framing members, and two side top horizontal framing members. The frame also includes a horizontal cross-member that extends horizontally between the two back vertical framing members at the approximate height of the top of the bucket of the vehicle. 
     The base of such a leaf collector is attached to the bottom of the frame (to the front and back bottom horizontal framing members, and two side bottom horizontal framing members), the doors are attached to the front wall of the frame (to the two front vertical framing members), and the webbing walls are attached to the left, right, back, and top walls of the frame (to all of the vertical and horizontal framing members, except for the front bottom framing member, and the horizontal cross-member). 
     The doors of such a leaf collector are secured to the two front vertical framing members of the frame, with one door attached to each vertical framing member. The doors open outward. When the doors are in their closed configuration, the doors secure any leaves in the leaf collector entirely within the collector so that they do not fall out when, for example, the leaf collector is being transported or moved for emptying. When the leaf collector is in use the doors are opened outward until the doors each contact a door stop mounted on the vertical framing member of the frame. The door stops prevent the doors from opening beyond a predetermined angle and allow the doors to create a funnel-like opening which allows leaves to be more easily blown into the leaf collector. 
     The bucket adapter arms of such a leaf collector are secured to the underside of the bottom of the frame, with each arm extended outward from the frame opposite the doors. The bucket adapter arms also include a bucket stop on each arm which rests against the front of the bucket when the leaf collector is secured to the bucket of a vehicle. 
     The two swing arms of such a leaf collector are attached to the back vertical framing members of the frame through a pivot point, such that the swing arms may rotate relative to the frame. When the leaf collector is not attached to the bucket of a vehicle, the swing arms may be rotated and raised until the swing arms are vertical and parallel to, and adjacent to, the back vertical framing members of the frame. When the leaf collector has been attached to the bucket of the vehicle, the swing arms have been rotated downward, such that the swing arms contact the angular back side of the bucket of the vehicle, and are secured to the ends of the bucket adapter arms by extending a bolt through a face plate mounted on the swing arms and secured to the bucket adapter arms. 
     While the use of the attachment system of the present invention with a leaf collector is described in detail herein, the attachment system of the present invention may also be utilized with various other devices for various other uses. 
     The attachment system of the present invention may be used with a mobile scaffold, where the basic configuration of the scaffold is similar to the leaf collector except the vertical framing members are typically shorter (such that the top horizontal framing members are at roughly chest-height), the scaffold does not include doors (as they are unnecessary), and the use of the webbing walls is optional (and in some cases may be replaced by additional horizontal framing members located between the top horizontal framing members and the bottom horizontal framing members). 
     Likewise, the attachment system of the present invention may be used with an auger, with the auger mounted on the base or the frame. In some cases, due to the weight of the auger, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base or the frame to hold the auger securely thereto. 
     Similarly, the attachment system of the present invention may be used with a snow blade, with the snow blade mounted to the front of the frame of the attachment system. 
     Another example of the use of the attachment system of the present invention with a lawn care device is as part of a water tank, where a plastic water tank for carrying water is mounted on the base within the frame of the attachment system. 
     The attachment system of the present invention may also be used with a trencher, with the trencher mounted on the base or the frame similar to the auger. Like with the auger, in some cases, due to the weight of the trencher, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base or the frame to hold the trencher securely thereto. 
     The attachment system of the present invention may also be used with a bale point, with the bale point mounted to the base or the frame. Like with the auger and trencher, in some cases, due to the weight of the bales that will be carried with the bale point, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base or the frame to hold the bale point securely thereto. 
     While a number of exemplar devices that may be used with the attachment system of the present invention are disclosed herein, the attachment system of the present invention may be used with nearly any outdoor or lawn care related equipment where there is a desire to mount such equipment to the bucket of a vehicle, thereby creating a truly universal vehicle bucket attachment system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the attachment system of the present invention with the two swing arms in their lowered configuration shown from the back and left side of the attachment system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a second perspective view of the attachment system of  FIG. 1  with the two swing arms in their raised configuration shown from the back and left side of the attachment system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up perspective view of the attachment system of  FIG. 1 , showing the configuration of the swing arms and face plate, bucket adapter arms, bucket stop, and portions of the frame. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a leaf collector that includes an embodiment of the attachment system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  from the front and left side of the leaf collector, showing the leaf collector attached to the bucket of a vehicle using the attachment system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  from the rear and right side of the leaf collector, showing the leaf collector attached to the bucket of a vehicle using the attachment system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a side elevation view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  from the left side of the leaf collector, showing the leaf collector attached to the bucket of a vehicle using the attachment system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a front elevation view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  shown from the front of the leaf collector, showing the attachment system attached to the bucket of a vehicle using the attachment system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a close-up perspective view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  focusing on the attachment system of the present invention, showing the bucket of the vehicle secured within the attachment system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  with the webbing walls removed (showing the frame more clearly) and the two swing arms in their lowered configuration shown from the back and left side of the leaf collector. 
         FIG. 10  shows a second perspective view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  with the webbing walls removed (showing the frame more clearly) and the two swing arms in their raised configuration shown from the back and left side of the leaf collector. 
         FIG. 11  shows a close-up perspective view of the leaf collector of  FIG. 4  focusing on the attachment system of  FIG. 1 , showing the configuration of the swing arms and face plate, bucket adapter arms, bucket stop, base, and portions of the frame. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide an attachment system  10  for use with vehicles with buckets  100 , such as yard tractors and similar compact tractors, which allows devices of various types and configurations to be secured to the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , one preferred embodiment of an attachment system  10  of the present invention is shown. The attachment system  10  comprises a frame  12 , two bucket adapter arms  18 , and two swing arms  20 . Optionally, the attachment system  10  may also include a base  14 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the frame  12  includes a total of at least two back vertical framing members  24  and at least five horizontal framing members  30  comprising front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34 , two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 , and back top horizontal framing member  40 . Optionally, the frame  12  may also include two front vertical framing members  26  and three additional horizontal framing members—a front top horizontal framing member  38  and two side top horizontal framing members  42 —as described below with respect to the exemplar leaf collector incorporating the attachment system  10  of the present invention. 
     Preferably, the two back vertical framing members  28  are substantially vertical and parallel to each other. However, alternatively two back vertical framing members  28  may have an angled configuration, such that they are angled relative to vertical or angled relative to each other, such that they are not parallel. For example, the vertical members  24  may have an angled configuration that gives the attachment system  10  a trapezoidal or rhomboidal shape when viewed from the front/back of the attachment system  10 . 
     Preferably, where the two back vertical framing members  28  are substantially vertical and parallel to each other, the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and back top horizontal framing member  40  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, and the two side bottom horizontal framing members  36  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, such that the attachment system  10  has roughly an “L”-shaped configuration. However, alternatively, when the framing members have various angled configurations, the attachment system  10  may have various different shapes. 
     Optionally, the frame  12  may also include a horizontal cross-member  44  that extends horizontally between the two back vertical framing members  28  at the approximate height of the top of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     The frame  12  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably is constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the frame  12  is constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the frame  12  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. 
     If the frame  12  is constructed from metal the framing members are preferably welded together to form the frame  12  itself. However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     The optional base  14 , if used, is attached to the bottom of the frame  12  (that is, to the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 ). The base  14  provides a surface to hold and support the device utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention. The shape of the base  14  corresponds to the shape defined by the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the base  14  has a square or rectangular shape. 
     The base  14  is preferably constructed of wood, such as plywood, particle board, composite wood, engineered wood, or other form of manufactured wood. However, the base  14  may alternatively constructed of other forms of wood (such as boards), metal (such as sheet steel), high strength plastics or composites, or heavy fabric. 
     When used, the base  14  may be attached to the frame  12  in any way known in the art, such as with fasteners, adhesives, or by forming the base  14  such that is held firmly within the frame  12 . In one preferred embodiment of the attachment system  10 , the base  14  is bolted to the frame  12 . 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  are secured to the underside of the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 , with each arm extending outward from the frame  12  away from the back vertical framing members  24 . The bucket adapter arms  18  are directly beneath the bottom side horizontal framing  36  members. The bucket adapter arms  18  are angled slightly downward relative to the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 , such that the bucket adapter arms  18  are in contact with the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  opposite the back vertical framing members  24  but there is a gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  at the back end of the frame  12  adjacent to the ends of the back vertical framing members  24 . 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  also include a bucket stop  56  on each arm  18  which is mounted a predetermined distance in front of the back end of the frame  12 . The bucket stops  56  are located such that the front of the bucket  100  of the vehicle rests against the bucket stops  56  when the attachment system  10  is secured to the bucket  100  of a vehicle. The specific position of the bucket stops  56  correspond with the length of the bottom of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. The bucket stops  56  also provide a second point of attachment between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the frame  12  to prevent the shifting or bending of the bucket adapter arms  18  and also maintains the proper gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the back of the frame  12 . 
     The back ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  include a plate or aperture  58  for receiving the attachment bolt  64  that is used to secure the swing arms  20  to the bucket adapter arms  18  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered position. 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably are constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the bucket adapter arms  18  are constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the frame  12  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. 
     If the bucket adapter arms  18  are constructed from metal the bucket adapter arms  18  (including the bucket stops  56 , which are also welded to the bucket adapter arms  18  themselves) are preferably welded to the frame  12 . However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two swing arms  20  are attached to the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  through a pivot point  60 , such that the swing arms  20  by rotate relative to the frame  12 . The pivot point  60  is typically in the form of a pair of plates  62  extending outward from the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  and a bolt or hinge pivot  64  that extends between the two plates  62  and through the swing arms  20 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the swing arms  20  each include a face plate  66  mounted at the end of the swing arms  20  opposite the pivot point  60 . The face plate  66  is angled relative to the swing arms  20  at an angle that corresponds to the angle that the bucket adapter arms  18  make relative to the swings arms  20  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered configuration. The face plate  66  also includes an attachment bolt  68  for bolting the face plate  66  of the swing arms  20  to the bucket adapter arms  18  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered and secured position. 
     The pivot point  60  allows the swing arms  20  to rotate relative to the frame  12 . That is, when the attachment system  10  is not attached to the bucket  100  of a vehicle, the swing arms  20  may be rotated and raised until the swing arms  20  are vertical and parallel to, and adjacent to, the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  for storage. Then, when the attachment system  10  has been attached to the bucket  100  of the vehicle, the swing arms  20  have been rotated downward, such that the swing arms  20  contact the angular back side of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. The swing arms  20  are then secured to the ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  by extending an attachment bolt  68  through the face plate  66  mounted on the swing arms  20  and secured to the bucket adapter arms  18 . 
     The pivot points  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably are constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the pivot point  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  are constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the pivot point  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. While it is preferred that the swing arms  20  be made of a rigid material, the swing arms  20  may alternatively be made of a non-rigid material like cables or high-strength fabric or composite straps. 
     If the pivot points  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  are constructed from metal the pivot points  60  are preferably welded to the frame  12  and the face plates  66  are welded to their respective swing arms  20 . However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     Typically, when not in use, the attachment system  10  would be stored with the attachment system  10  resting on the ground on the bucket adapter arms  18 , similar to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To use the attachment system  10  of the present invention, the user drives the vehicle, with the bucket  100  of the vehicle leading, to the back side of the attachment system  10 . The user ensures that the swing arms  20  are in their raised position (as best seen in  FIG. 2 ) and positions the bucket  100  of the vehicle such that the blade of the bucket  100  is aligned with the gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the bottom back horizontal framing member  34  and side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 . The user then drives the vehicle forward, with the blade of the bucket  100  being inserted into the gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the front bottom horizontal framing members  32  and side bottom horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  (with the bucket adapter arms  18  being located under the bucket  100  and the front bottom horizontal framing members  32  and side bottom horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  being located above, but resting on, the blade of the bucket  100  and inside the bucket  100  itself). The user continues to drive the vehicle forward until the front of the blade comes into contact with the bucket stops  56  of the bucket adapter arms  18 . 
     The user then shuts down the vehicle or activates the parking brake (for safety, so the vehicle does not move while the user is attaching the attachment system  10 ). The user swings down each swing arm  20 , which will come to rest on the back of the bucket  100 , and lines up the face plate  66  with bolt holes in the bucket adapter arms  18 , similar to what is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The user then inserts the attachment bolt  68  through each face plate  66  such that the attachment bolts  68  extends through each bucket adapter arm  18  and tightens down the attachment bolts  68 . 
     Once the attachment bolts  68  have been tightened the bucket  100  of the vehicle is secured within a roughly triangular area defined by the swing arms  20 , the back vertical framing members  28 , and a combination of the back bottom framing member  34  and side bottom framing members  36  (resting within the bucket  100  on the bottom of the bucket  100 ) and the back ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  (lying beneath the bottom of the bucket  100 ). This configuration solidly secures the attachment system  10  to the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     Once the attachment system  10  has been secured to the vehicle, the user may raise the bucket  100 , with the attachment system  10  secured within it, off of the ground and move it to the desired location for use of the device utilizing the attachment system  10 , the user follows the described procedure in reverse to detach the attachment system  10  from the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     One exemplar device utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention is a leaf collector for use with vehicles with buckets  100 , such as yard tractors and similar compact tractors, for lawn care and yard debris (such as grass and plant clippings) and leaf removal purposes. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-8 , a leaf collector incorporating a preferred embodiment of the attachment system  10  of the present invention is shown. The leaf collector incorporating the attachment system  10  of the present invention comprises the frame  12 , the base  14 , two doors  16 , the two bucket adapter arms  18 , the two swing arms  20 , and webbing walls  22 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 9-11 , the frame  12  includes a total of four vertical framing members  24 , two front vertical framing members  26  and two back vertical framing members  28 , and a total of eight horizontal framing members  30 , front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34 , two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 , front top horizontal framing member  38  and back top horizontal framing member  40 , and two side top horizontal framing members  42 . 
     Preferably, the two front vertical framing members  26  and two back vertical framing members  28  are substantially vertical and parallel to each other. However, alternatively the two front vertical framing members  26  and two back vertical framing members  28  may have an angled configuration, such that they are angled relative to vertical or angled relative to each other, such that they are not parallel. For example, the vertical members  24  may have an angled configuration that gives the leaf collector a trapezoidal or rhomboidal shape when viewed from the side or front/back of the leaf collector. 
     The front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  extend between the two side bottom horizontal framing members  36  substantially perpendicular to the side bottom horizontal framing members  36 . Thus, the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and the two side bottom horizontal framing members  36  define a square, rectangle, or parallelogram depending upon the relative lengths of each framing member. 
     Preferably, the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and the front top horizontal framing member  38  and back top horizontal framing member  40  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, while the two side bottom horizontal framing members  36  and the two side top horizontal framing members  42  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other. However, alternatively the horizontal framing members  30  may have an angled configuration, such that they are angled relative to horizontal or angled relative to each other. For example, the horizontal framing members  30  may have an angled configuration that gives the leaf collector a trapezoidal or rhomboidal shape when viewed from the side or top/bottom of the leaf collector. 
     Preferably, where the two front vertical framing members  26  and two back vertical framing members  28  are substantially vertical and parallel to each other, the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and the front top horizontal framing member  38  and back top horizontal framing member  40  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, and the two side bottom horizontal framing members  36  and the two side top horizontal framing members  42  are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other, the leaf collector has a cube or cuboid shape. However, alternatively, when the framing members have various angled configurations, the leaf collector may have various different shapes, including, but not limited to, a parallelepiped, trapezoidal prism, or rhomboid prism shape. 
     Optionally, the frame  12  may also include a horizontal cross-member  44  that extends horizontally between the two back vertical framing members  28  at the approximate height of the top of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     The frame  12  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably is constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the frame  12  is constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the frame  12  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. 
     If the frame  12  is constructed from metal the framing members are preferably welded together to form the frame  12  itself. However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the base  14  is attached to the bottom of the frame  12  (that is, to the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 ). The base  14  provides a flat surface to hold and support the weight of leaves that have been placed into the leaf collector. The shape of the base  14  corresponds to the shape defined by the front bottom horizontal framing member  32  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  and two side bottom horizontal framing members  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the base  14  has a square or rectangular shape. 
     The base  14  is preferably constructed of wood, such as plywood, particle board, composite wood, engineered wood, or other form of manufactured wood. However, the base  14  may alternatively constructed of other forms of wood (such as boards), metal (such as sheet steel), high strength plastics or composites, or heavy fabric. 
     The base  14  may be attached to the frame  12  in any way known in the art, such as with fasteners, adhesives, or by forming the base  14  such that is held firmly within the frame  12 . In one example of the leaf collector utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention, the base  14  is bolted to the frame  12 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the doors  16  are attached to the two front vertical framing members  26 , with each door  16  being secured to its respective front vertical framing member  26  by a plurality of hinges  46 . In one example of the leaf collector, two hinges  46  are used for each door  16 , however alternatively three or more hinges  46  may be used. The doors  16  may be shifted from a closed position, where the doors  16  hold leaves securely within the leaf collector for movement or transport, to an opened position with the doors  16  opened outward, where the doors  16  allow leaves to be blown into, or otherwise placed into, the leaf collector. 
     When the doors  16  are in their fully opened position, the doors  16  are prevented from opening further by at least one door stop  48  mounted on the front vertical framing member  26  that the door  16  is secured to. The door stops  48  prevent the doors  16  from opening beyond a predetermined angle and allow the doors  16  to create a funnel-like opening which allows leaves to be more easily blown into the leaf collector. 
     The doors  16  also include some type of method to secure the doors  16  in their closed configuration, such as a lock or other such securing apparatus. Any method known in the art, from locks or barrel slide bolts to bungee or rubber cords, may used to secure the doors  16  in their closed position. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4-7 , the webbing walls  22  form the side wall  50 , top wall  52 , and back wall  54  of the leaf collector and are attached to the frame  12 . More specifically, the top webbing wall  52  is attached to the front top horizontal framing member  38 , back top horizontal framing member  40 , and side top horizontal framing members  42 , the back webbing wall  54  is attached to the top back horizontal framing member  40 , the two back vertical framing members  28 , and the horizontal cross-member  44 , and each side webbing wall  50  is attached to a side top horizontal framing member  42 , side bottom horizontal framing member  36 , front vertical framing member  26 , and back vertical framing member  28 . As such, the webbing walls  22  enclose the interior of the frame  12  of the leaf collector except for (a) the portion of the frame  12  between the horizontal cross-member  44  and back bottom horizontal framing member  34  (which would be enclosed by the bucket  100  of the vehicle when in use, (b) the front wall of the frame  12  (which is covered by the doors  16  when they are in their closed position), and the floor of the frame  12  (which is covered by the base  14 ). Although the webbing walls  22  help hold leaves within the leaf collector, since they are constructed of a webbing material the webbing walls  22  still allow air to blow through them. That is, leaves may be blown in to the leaf collector using a leaf blower and the webbing walls  22  help catch the leaves and hold them in the leaf collector while still allowing the air itself from the blower to pass through the webbing walls  22 , thereby preventing the leaves from being blown back out of the leaf collector by the leaf blower. 
     The webbing walls  22  are preferably constructed from a heavy duty plastic webbing material, similar to plastic webbing used in snow and debris fences, with mesh openings of sufficient size to easily allow blown air to pass through the webbing wall  22  but which are still small enough to prevent leaves from blowing through the webbing wall  22 . For example, in one example of a leaf collector utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention the webbing material comprises Resinet™ brand Heavy Duty Snow Control Fence or Airport Heavy Duty Snow Control Fence (SKU No. SF5060100-Y) with nominal mesh openings for approximately 1.25 inch by 1.25 inch. However, alternatively, the webbing walls  22  may be constructed of any other mesh material known in the art, including, but not limited to fabric or composite materials. 
     The webbing walls  22  may be secured to the frame  12  using any method known in the art. Preferably, the webbing walls  22  are secured to the frame  12  using plastic zip-ties for cheap and easy construction and repair. However, alternative means of securement, such as fasteners or adhesives may also be used. The webbing walls  22  may also be looped around the framing members that it is attached to and secured to itself (again, using any of the methods discussed herein). 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  are secured to the underside of the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 , with each arm extending outward from the frame  12  opposite the doors  16 . The bucket adapter arms  18  are directly beneath the bottom side horizontal framing  36  members. The bucket adapter arms  18  are angled slightly downward relative to the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 , such that the bucket adapter arms  18  are in contact with the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  at the front end (adjacent to the doors  16 ) of the leaf collector but there is a gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the bottom side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  at the back end of the frame  12 . 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  also include a bucket stop  56  on each arm  18  which is mounted a predetermined distance in front of the back end of the frame  12 . The bucket stops  56  are located such that the front of the bucket  100  of the vehicle rests against the bucket stops  56  when the leaf collector is secured to the bucket  100  of a vehicle. The specific position of the bucket stops  56  correspond with the length of the bottom of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. The bucket stops  56  also provide a second point of attachment between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the frame  12  to prevent the shifting or bending of the bucket adapter arms  18  and also maintains the proper gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the back of the frame  12 . 
     The back ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  include a plate or aperture  58  for receiving the attachment bolt  64  that is used to secure the swing arms  20  to the bucket adapter arms  18  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered position. 
     The bucket adapter arms  18  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably are constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the bucket adapter arms  18  are constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the frame  12  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. 
     If the bucket adapter arms  18  are constructed from metal the bucket adapter arms  18  (including the bucket stops  56 , which are also welded to the bucket adapter arms  18  themselves) are preferably welded to the frame  12 . However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the two swing arms  20  are attached to the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  through a pivot point  60 , such that the swing arms  20  by rotate relative to the frame  12 . The pivot point  60  is typically in the form of a pair of plates  62  extending outward from the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  and a bolt or hinge pivot  64  that extends between the two plates  62  and through the swing arms  20 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , the swing arms  20  each include a face plate  66  mounted at the end of the swing arms  20  opposite the pivot point  60 . The face plate  66  is angled relative to the swing arms  20  at an angle that corresponds to the angle that the bucket adapter arms  18  make relative to the swings arms  20  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered configuration. The face plate  66  also includes an attachment bolt  68  for bolting the face plate  66  of the swing arms  20  to the bucket adapter arms  18  when the swing arms  20  are in their lowered and secured position. 
     The pivot point  60  allows the swing arms  20  to rotate relative to the frame  12 . That is, when the leaf collector is not attached to the bucket  100  of a vehicle, the swing arms  20  may be rotated and raised until the swing arms  20  are vertical and parallel to, and adjacent to, the back vertical framing members  28  of the frame  12  for storage. Then, when the leaf collector has been attached to the bucket  100  of the vehicle, the swing arms  20  have been rotated downward, such that the swing arms  20  contact the angular back side of the bucket  100  of the vehicle. The swing arms  20  are then secured to the ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  by extending an attachment bolt  68  through the face plate  66  mounted on the swing arms  20  and secured to the bucket adapter arms  18 . 
     The pivot points  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  may be constructed from various materials, but preferably are constructed from a stiff, high strength material such as metal. In one preferred embodiment the pivot point  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  are constructed from welded steel square tube for ease of manufacture. However, alternatively the pivot point  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  may be constructed from pipe/round tubing, flat bar, or other such materials. Likewise, instead of metal, high strength materials such as composites or high strength plastics may be used. 
     If the pivot points  60 , swing arms  20 , and face plates  66  are constructed from metal the pivot points  60  are preferably welded to the frame  12  and the face plates  66  are welded to their respective swing arms  20 . However, alternatively fasteners, such as bolts and screws, or any other method of securement known in the art may be used. 
     Typically, when not in use, the leaf collector would be stored with the leaf collector with the attachment system  10  of the present invention resting on the ground on the bucket adapter arms  18 , similar to the position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . To use the leaf collector of the present invention, the user drives the vehicle, with the bucket  100  of the vehicle leading, to the back side of the leaf collector. The user ensures that the swing arms  20  are in their raised position (as best seen in  FIG. 10 ) and positions the bucket  100  of the vehicle such that the blade of the bucket  100  is aligned with the gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the bottom back horizontal framing member  34  and side horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12 . The user then drives the vehicle forward, with the blade of the bucket  100  being inserted into the gap between the bucket adapter arms  18  and the front bottom horizontal framing members  32  and side bottom horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  (with the bucket adapter arms  18  being located under the bucket  100  and the front bottom horizontal framing members  32  and side bottom horizontal framing members  36  of the frame  12  being located above, but resting on, the blade of the bucket  100  and inside the bucket  100  itself), as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The user continues to drive the vehicle forward until the front of the blade comes into contact with the bucket stops  56  of the bucket adapter arms  18 . 
     The user then shuts down the vehicle or activates the parking brake (for safety, so the vehicle does not move while the user is attaching the leaf collector). The user swings down each swing arm  20 , which will come to rest on the back of the bucket  100 , and lines up the face plate  66  with bolt holes in the bucket adapter arms  18 , similar to what is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . The user then inserts the attachment bolt  68  through each face plate  66  such that the attachment bolts  68  extends through each bucket adapter arm  18  and tightens down the attachment bolts  68 . 
     Once the attachment bolts  68  have been tightened the bucket  100  of the vehicle is secured within a roughly triangular area defined by the swing arms  20 , the back vertical framing members  28 , and a combination of the back bottom framing member  34  and side bottom framing members  36  (resting within the bucket  100  on the bottom of the bucket  100 ) and the back ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  (lying beneath the bottom of the bucket  100 ). This configuration solidly secures the leaf collector to the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     Once the leaf collector has been secured to the vehicle, the user may raise the bucket  100 , with the leaf collector secured within it, off of the ground and move it to the desired location. 
     To use the leaf collector utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention to move leaves at the desired location, the user lowers the bucket until the leaf collector is on or near the ground and opens the doors  16  until the doors  16  rest against the door stops  48 . The doors  16  then create a funnel-like configuration that allows the user to more easily blow leaves into the leaf collector. The user uses a leaf blower to blow leaves into the leaf collector, with the webbing walls  22  catching the leaves but allowing the blown air to pass through the leaf collector (thereby preventing the air from the leaf blower from blowing leaves back out of the leaf collector). 
     Once the user has filled the leaf collector with leaves, the user closes the doors  16  and secures them closed. The user can then raise the leaf collector off of the ground for transport by raising the bucket  100  of the vehicle. The vehicle is then driven to the location where the user desires to dispose of the leaves and the leaves are emptied out of the leaf collector—by opening the doors  16  and either lifting and angling leaf collector by lifting and angling the bucket  100  of the vehicle and letting the leaves spill out (the preferred method) or blowing the leaves out with a leaf blower by blowing through the webbing wall  22  at the back of the leaf collector and blowing the leaves out of the front of the leaf collector. When the user is done using the leaf collector, the user follows the described procedure in reverse to detach the leaf collector from the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     While the exemplar device utilizing the attachment system  10  of the present invention described herein is a leaf collector, the attachment system  10  of the present invention may also be used for a wide variety of other yard or outdoors-related devices due to the solid and secure attachment of the attachment system  10  to the bucket  100  of a vehicle which will not be discussed in detail herein, but fall within the scope of the present invention due to the utilization of the attachment system  10  for a vehicle bucket of the present invention. 
     For example, the attachment system  10  of the present invention may be used with a mobile scaffold, where the basic configuration of the scaffold is similar to the leaf collector except the vertical framing members  24  are typically shorter (such that the top horizontal framing members  38 ,  40 ,  42  are at roughly chest-height), the scaffold does not include doors  16  (as they are unnecessary), and the use of the webbing walls  22  is optional (and in some cases may be replaced by additional horizontal framing members located between the top horizontal framing members  38 ,  40 ,  42  and the bottom horizontal framing members  32 ,  34 ,  36 ). That is, the base  14  and frame  12  of the present invention create a solid and stable structure that a user may stand on to safely reach high objects by raising the bucket of the compact vehicle to raise the user. It should be noted that if the attachment system  10  will be used with a mobile scaffold, then for safety purposes a counterweight should be attached to the rear of vehicle so that the mobile scaffold is properly counterbalanced. 
     Likewise, the attachment system  10  of the present invention may be used with an auger, with the auger mounted on the base  14  or the frame  12 . In some cases, due to the weight of the auger, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base  14  or the frame  12  to hold the auger securely thereto. 
     Similarly, the attachment system  10  of the present invention may be used with a snow blade, with the snow blade mounted to the front of the frame  12  of the attachment system  10 . 
     Another example of the use of the attachment system  10  of the present invention with a lawn care device is as part of a water tank, where a plastic water tank for carrying water is mounted on the base  14  within the frame  12  of the attachment system  10 . 
     The attachment system  10  of the present invention may also be used with a trencher, with the trencher mounted on the base  14  or the frame  12  similar to the auger. Like with the auger, in some cases, due to the weight of the trencher, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base  14  or the frame  12  to hold the trencher securely thereto. 
     The attachment system  10  of the present invention may also be used with a bale point, with the bale point mounted to the base  14  or the frame  12 . Like with the auger and trencher, in some cases, due to the weight of the bales that will be carried with the bale point, additional support structures may need to be mounted to the base  14  or the frame  12  to hold the bale point securely thereto. 
     While a number of exemplar devices that may be used with the attachment system  10  of the present invention are disclosed herein, the attachment system  10  of the present invention may be used with nearly any outdoor or lawn care related equipment where there is a desire to mount such equipment to the bucket  100  of a vehicle, thereby creating a truly universal vehicle bucket attachment system  10 . 
     The present invention in general is an attachment  10  for a vehicle with a bucket  100  wherein the bucket  100  of the vehicle is secured within a roughly triangular area defined by the swing arms  20 , the back vertical framing members  28 , and a combination of the back bottom framing member  34  and side bottom framing members  36  (resting within the bucket  100  on the bottom of the bucket  100 ) and the back ends of the bucket adapter arms  18  (lying beneath the bottom of the bucket  100 ). Thus, the attachment  10  of the present invention solidly secures the attachment  10 , and any outdoor or lawn care related equipment or devices incorporating the attachment  10  of the present invention, to the bucket  100  of the vehicle. 
     It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the size, configuration, or dimensions of the attachment  10  of the present invention may be adjusted to allow for use with various sizes of vehicle buckets, as may be desired by the end user of the attachment. Likewise, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the materials from which the attachment  10  of the present invention is made may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, but that the present invention will include any embodiments falling within the description of the invention herein.