Abstract:
An apparatus for attachment to the bucket of a front end loader, skip loader or any other power-operated bucket. The apparatus comprises a plurality of teeth supported in a frame that attaches to the bucket of a front end loader. The apparatus may be used to sort unwanted material, e.g., small and large pieces of wood, rocks and waste products such as manure, from dirt and then to transfer the unwanted material into the bucket of the loader.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/378,837, filed May 6, 2002, the disclosure of which application is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an attachment for the bucket of a front end loader. In particular, the invention relates to a rake-tooth bucket attachment. 
     The background art is characterized by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,597,374; 2,935,802; 3,034,237; 3,214,041; 3,349,933; 3,362,554; 3,643,821; 3,706,388; 3,834,567; 4,125,952; 4,411,585; 5,515,625; 5,564,885; 5,664,348; 6,092,606 and 6,209,236; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 361,772; the disclosures of which patents are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     Richey in U.S. Pat. No. 2,597,374 discloses a material handling device. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Wolfe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 2,935,802 disclose a multi-function attachments carrier for farm loaders and the like. This invention is limited in that a middle transverse member and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Wolfe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,237 disclose another multi-function attachments carrier for farm loaders and the like. This invention is limited in that a middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Walberg in U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,041 discloses a scoop for front end loaders. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Simpson et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,933 disclose a pavement lifter. This invention is limited in that at limited in that a back transverse member and at least one transverse rod substantially forward of a middle transverse member and the bucket lip not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Fortier in U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,554 discloses a rear-end hydraulic loader for a tractor. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Viel in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,821 discloses a front loader-type rock picker. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Westendorf in U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,388 discloses a fork attachment for a loader bucket. This invention is limited in that at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip is not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Miller in U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,567 discloses an adapter apparatus for a tractor. This invention is limited in that a back transverse member and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Jennings in U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,952 discloses a bucket attachment. This invention is limited in that at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip is not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Quinn in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,585 discloses a fork attachment for loader buckets. This invention is limited in that a middle transverse member and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Keigley in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,625 discloses a rake attachment with scarifying teeth for a skid loader. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Staben, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,885 discloses a multipurpose work attachment for a front end loader. This invention is limited in that at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip is not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Omann in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,348 discloses a rock and material loading apparatus. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Basler in U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,606 discloses a stone gathering apparatus. This invention is limited in that at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip is not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Omann in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,236 discloses an actuated material loader with open fence. This invention is limited in that back and middle transverse members and at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip are not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     Hulsey in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 361,722 discloses a front end loader attachment for moving rocks. This invention is limited in that at least one transverse rod forward of the bucket lip is not provided to support the teeth. Neither do embodiments of the invention incorporate teeth that are pointed on both ends. 
     None of the individual references or combination of references teach the invention disclosed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One purpose of the invention is to enable an operator to use a front end loader, skid loader, utility tractor, all terrain vehicle (ATV) or any other power apparatus to sort unwanted material, e.g., small or large pieces of wood, rocks and waste products such as manure, from dirt and then to transfer the unwanted material into the bucket of the loader. Another purpose of the invention is to enable an operator to use a loader to level a work area while collecting unwanted material. Still another purpose of the invention is to provide an attachment for extending the reach of an existing loader and bucket to clean ditches. Another purpose is to loosen the surface of hard ground. Still another purpose is to carry materials with the bucket that would not otherwise be possible, such as round hay bales, trees, poles, etc. 
     One advantage of the invention is that can be quickly attached to a wide variety of front end loader buckets. Another advantage is that the teeth spacing and extension from the bucket allow the loader to be used for a wide variety of activities. Yet another advantage of the invention is its low cost. Another advantage is that the invention allows the operator better visibility to perform designated work. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for attachment to the bucket of a front end loader, skip loader or any other power-operated bucket. The apparatus preferably comprises a plurality of teeth supported in a frame that attaches to the bucket of a front end loader. The placement and spacing of the teeth may vary according to dimensions of the material to be sorted. Preferably, the teeth are spaced about one and one half inches to about three and one half inches apart and more preferably about two inches apart. Preferably, the teeth are pointed at about a fifty-five degree angle. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus is fabricated from mild steel by cutting out the parts and welding them together. In other preferred embodiments, the apparatus is fabricated from high abrasive steel or high impact steel. The invention may be marketed as an attachment and/or as a bucket-attachment combination. 
     In use, a preferred embodiment of the invention is mounted on a bucket by placing the front end of the bucket into the metal pocket formed by the middle transverse member and bolting the member to pre-drilled holes in the lip of the bucket. Then the end brackets are connected with bolts to pre-drilled holes in the sides of the bucket. Preferably, brackets of three alternative types, short bar, long bar and triangle-shaped, are provided to allow attachment of the invention to a wide variety of buckets. 
     The invention is preferably operated by scooping up a mixture of wanted and unwanted material into the device by shaking the bucket and by tilting the device backward to move the unwanted material along the rakes until it reaches the bucket. The wanted material falls out of the device through the spaces between the rakes. The invention can be used to level an area by orienting the teeth at an angle to the ground and backing the skip loader up while applying downward pressure on the rake. The invention also has utility in ditch work, landscaping (e.g., removing weeds, branches, limbs, trees, grass and sod), cleaning corrals, hauling and distributing gravel on a road surface, leveling a bumpy road and hauling more material than can normally be accommodated in a bucket. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention is an attachment for the bucket of a front-end loader, the bucket having a back, a bottom with a forward end (e.g., a lip) having a plurality of transverse attachment holes and sides, each of the sides having at least one bucket mounting hole, the attachment comprising: (1) a rake comprising a plurality of teeth oriented substantially parallel to one another in a row, each of the teeth having a front end, a middle portion and a back end, and each of the teeth at the ends of the row having a rake mounting hole therein; a back transverse member to which the back ends of the teeth are attached; a middle transverse member to which the middle portions of the teeth are attached, the middle transverse member forming a pocket that is configured to receive the forward end of the bucket, the middle transverse member having a plurality of transverse mounting holes therein that align with the transverse attachment holes on the forward end of the bucket for attaching the attachment to the forward end of the bucket by bolting; and at least one transverse rod perforating and supporting the teeth between the points of attachment of the middle transverse member and the front ends; and (2) two end brackets, each of the end brackets having a rake attachment hole at one extremity that aligns with rake mounting hole on one of the end teeth and a bucket attachment hole at a second extremity that aligns with the at least one bucket mounting hole on the bucket for mounting of the rake on the bucket by bolting. 
     In another preferred embodiment, both the front ends and the back ends of the teeth are pointed. In an alternative embodiment, only the forward ends of the teeth are pointed. 
     In preferred embodiments, the attachment of the disclosed invention further comprises: a plurality of transverse rods perforating and supporting the teeth between the points of attachment of middle transverse member and the front ends. Preferably, two transverse rods perforate and support the teeth between the points of attachment of the middle transverse member and the front ends. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, each of the transverse rods is welded to one of the teeth at each tooth perforation. In another embodiment, each of the transverse rods pass through spacer tubes (e.g., short lengths of pipe) situated between the teeth that act to space the teeth apart. In this embodiment, each of the transverse rods is threaded on both ends to accept bolts that, when tighten, secure the rod in place. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the attachment of the disclosed invention further comprises: at least one spacer member that is attached to the top surface of the back transverse member to space the top of the back transverse below the bottom of the bucket, thereby orienting the teeth substantially parallel with the bottom of the bucket. 
     In another preferred embodiment, each bracket is substantially triangular in shape and has a rear-end attachment hole at a third extremity that aligns with a second bucket mounting hole on the bucket for mounting of the rack on the bucket by bolting. Preferably, the pocket is formed by attaching an inclined transverse member to the top edge of a lower transverse member. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a front end loader accessory comprising: a bucket; and the attachment disclosed herein. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is an improved front end loader comprising: the accessory of disclosed herein; and means to manipulate the accessory (e.g., a loader having movable arms at its front end). 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention is an accessory for a loader, the accessory comprising: (1) a bucket having a back, sides and a bottom with a forward end; (2) a rake comprising: a plurality of teeth oriented substantially parallel to one another in a row, each of the teeth having a front end, a middle portion and a back end; a back transverse member to which the back ends of the teeth are attached; a middle transverse member to which the middle portions of the teeth are attached, the middle transverse member forming a pocket that is configured to receive the forward end of the bucket and that is attached to the forward end of the bucket; and at least one transverse rod perforating and supporting the teeth between the points of attachment of middle transverse member and the front ends; and (3) two end brackets, each of the end brackets being operative to connect the rake to one of the sides of the bucket. Preferably, both the front ends and the back ends of the teeth are pointed. Preferably, the end brackets connect the two teeth at the ends of the row to the sides of the bucket. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is an attachment for a power-operated bucket, the bucket having a back, sides and a bottom with a forward end, the attachment comprising: (1) a rake comprising: a plurality of teeth oriented substantially parallel to one another in a row, each of the teeth having a front end, a middle portion and a back end; a back transverse member to which the back ends of the teeth are attached; a middle transverse member to which the middle portions of the teeth are attached, the middle transverse member being attachable to the forward end of the bucket; and at least one transverse rod separating and supporting the teeth between the points of attachment of middle transverse member and the front ends; and (2) two end brackets for mounting of the rake on the bucket. Preferably, both the forward ends and the back ends of the teeth are pointed. Preferably, the attachment further comprises: a plurality of transverse rods perforating and supporting the teeth between the points of attachment of middle transverse member and the front ends and at least one transverse rod supporting the teeth adjacent to the back ends. Preferably, the transverse rods pass through spacer tubes situated between the teeth that act to space the teeth apart. Preferably, the transverse rods are threaded on both ends to accept bolts that, when tighten, secure the rods and the spacer tubes in place. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is an attachment for facilitating the separation of a first material from a second material with a power-operated bucket on which the attachment is mounted, the bucket having a back, sides and a bottom with a lip, the attachment comprising: (1) a rake comprising: a plurality of teeth oriented substantially in a row, each of the teeth having a front end, a middle portion and a back end; a back transverse member to which the back ends of the teeth are attached; a middle transverse member to which the middle portions of the teeth are attached, the middle transverse member being attachable to the lip of the bucket; and at least one transverse rod separating and supporting the teeth, said at least one transverse rod being spaced substantially forward of the lip of the bucket and being operative to prevent the first material from falling between the teeth and to allow the second material to fall between the teeth when said rake is mounted on said bucket; and (2) end brackets for attaching the rake to the sides of the bucket. 
    
    
     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of preferred embodiments of the invention. A person skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments of the invention are possible and that the details of the invention can be modified in a number of respects, all without departing from the concept. Thus, the following drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is another perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     The following reference numerals are used to indicate the parts and environment of the invention on the drawings: 
       1  attachment, apparatus, device 
       3  bucket 
       5  back 
       7  bottom 
       9  forward end 
       11  sides 
       13  transverse attachment holes 
       15  bucket mounting hole 
       17  second bucket mounting hole 
       19  bar holes 
       21  rake 
       23  first brackets, long bar brackets, end brackets 
       25  teeth 
       27  front end 
       29  middle portion 
       31  back end 
       33  end teeth 
       35  rake mounting hole 
       37  back transverse member 
       38  first bolts 
       39  first lock washers 
       40  first nuts 
       41  middle transverse member 
       43  upper member, inclined transverse member 
       45  lower member, lower transverse member 
       47  pocket 
       51  forward end or lip 
       53  transverse mounting holes 
       55  rods, transverse rods 
       57  rake attachment hole 
       61  bucket attachment hole 
       63  second bolt 
       65  second lock washer 
       67  second nut 
       69  spacer member 
       73  top surface 
       75  adjustable end brackets, U-shaped brackets 
       77  rear-end attachment hole or slot 
       79  extremity 
       81  third bolts 
       83  third lock washers 
       85  third nuts 
       91  accessory 
       93  improved front end loader 
       95  bucket moving apparatus 
       97  rear hole 
       99  back-end attachment hole or slot 
       101  front-end attachment hole or slot 
       103  spacer tubes 
       105  flat bars 
       107  rake attachment holes 
       139  rod lock washers 
       140  rod nuts 
       141  bar lower lock washers 
       143  bar upper nuts 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention is presented. In this embodiment, attachment  1  is attachable to bucket  3  of a front-end loader (not shown). Bucket has back  5 , bottom  7  with forward end or lip  9  and sides  11 . Preferably forward end  9  is provided with a plurality of transverse attachment holes  13  and each of which sides  11  is provided with bucket mounting hole  15  and may be provided with second bucket mounting hole  17 . 
     Attachment  1  preferably comprises rake  21  and first brackets  23 . Rake  21  comprises plurality of teeth  25  oriented substantially parallel to one another in a row. Each of teeth  25  preferably comprises front end  27 , middle portion  29  and back end  31 . Each of end teeth  33  at the ends of the row are preferably provided with rake mounting hole  35  therein, located adjacent front end  27  of the end tooth. 
     Rake  21  further comprises back transverse member  37  to which back ends  31  of teeth  25  are attached and middle transverse member  41  to which the middle portions of the teeth are attached. Preferably, middle transverse member  41  comprises (preferably beveled) upper portion  43  and lower portion  45  which form pocket  47  that is configured to receive forward end or lip  51  of bucket  3 . Preferably, lower member  45  has transverse mounting holes  53  therein that align with transverse attachment holes  13  in front end or lip  51  of bucket  3  for attaching attachment  1  to forward end or lip  51  of bucket  51  by bolting with first bolts  38  (only one shown for clarity), first lock washers  39  and first nuts  40 . Rake  21  further comprises at least one transverse rod  55  that separates and supports teeth  25  (and, in some embodiments, perforates or attaches to teeth  25 ) between the points of attachment of middle transverse member  43  and front ends  27 . 
     Attachment  1  further comprises two end brackets  23 . Each of which end brackets  23  has rake attachment hole  57  at one extremity that aligns with rake mounting hole  35  (adjacent front end  27 ) on one of the end teeth  33  and bucket attachment hole  61  at a second extremity that aligns with bucket mounting hole  15  on bucket  3  for mounting of attachment  1  on bucket  3  by bolting with second bolt  63 , second lock washer  65  and second nut  67 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, attachment  1  further comprises at least one spacer member  69  that is attached to top surface  73  of back transverse member  37  to space the top surface  73  of back transverse member  37  below bottom  7  of bucket  3 . This orients teeth  25  substantially parallel with bottom  7  of bucket  3 . Preferably, pocket  47  is formed by attaching top portion or inclined transverse member  43  to top edge  87  of lower portion  47  of middle transverse member  41 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, adjustable end bracket  75  is provided. Adjustable end bracket  75  is substantially triangular in shape. Front-end attachment hole or slot  101  aligns with rake mounting hole  35  and back-end attachment hole or slot  99  aligns with rear hole  97  and allows bolting of one adjustable end bracket  75  to each end of rake  21 . Rear-end attachment hole or slot  77  at third extremity  79  that aligns with second bucket mounting hole  17  on bucket  3  and allows mounting of attachment  1  on bucket  3  by bolting with third bolts  81 , third lock washers  83  and third nuts  85 . 
     In preferred embodiment the attachment  1  further comprises plurality of transverse rods  55  perforating and attached to teeth  25 , preferably between the points of attachment of teeth  25  of middle transverse member  41  and pointed ends  27 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is front end loader  91  accessory comprising bucket  3  and with attachment  1  integrally attached thereto. In this embodiment, accessory  91  is sold as a complete product. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, in another preferred embodiment, the invention is an improved front end loader. In this embodiment, improved front end loader  91  is sold as a complete product that includes an embodiment of attachment  1 , bucket  3  and bucket moving apparatus  95 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, another preferred embodiment of the invention is presented. In this embodiment, three transverse rods  55  are provided. Rods  55  are passed through perforations in teeth  25  and through spacer tubes  103  that are positioned between teeth  25 . The ends of rods  55  are threaded and rod lock washers  139  and rod nuts  140  are tightened to secure rods  55  in place. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, both front ends  27  and back ends  31  of teeth  25  are pointed. Preferably, ends  27  and  31  of teeth  25  are pointed at an approximately fifty-five degree angle. In this embodiment, attachment  1  is attachable to sides  11  of bucket  3  by means of flat bars  105 . Preferably, rake attachment holes  107  at one end of flat bars  105  are bolted to end teeth  33  and bucket attachment holes  61  at the other end of flat bars  105  is bolted to sides  11 . Referring to FIG. 4, attachment  1  of FIG. 3 is mounted on front end loader  95 . 
     In use, apparatus  1  is preferably mounted on bucket  3  by placing forward end  51  of bucket  3  into metal pocket  47  formed by the portions of middle transverse member  41  and bolting member  41  to pre-drilled holes in lip  51  of bucket  3 . Then, end brackets  23  are connected with bolts to pre-bored holes in sides  11  of bucket  3 . Preferably, brackets of three types, short bar brackets  105 , long bar bracket  23  and triangular brackets  75 , are provided to allow attachment of apparatus I to a wide variety of buckets  3 . 
     The invention is operated by scooping up a mixture of unwanted material into device  1 , by shaking bucket  3  and by tilting device  1  backward to move the unwanted material along the rakes  25  until it reaches bucket  3 . The dirt falls out of device  1  through the spaces between rakes  25 . The invention can be used to level an area by orienting the teeth at an angle to the ground and backing the skip loader up while applying downward pressure on rake  21 . The invention also has utility in ditch work, landscaping (e.g., removing grass and sod), cleaning corrals, hauling and distributing gravel on a road surface, leveling a bumpy road and hauling more material than can normally be accommodated in bucket  3 . The invention can also be used to clean debris, sticks, weeds, sod, rocks, etc. by tilting the bucket so that the teeth are at a forty-five degree angle and lightly raking the ground. In this operation, the operator backs the loader up, pulling unwanted material into a pile that is then easily picked up. 
     The structure of attachment  1  is provides great improvements over bucket attachments in the background art. The presence of at least one rod  55  (and, preferably, two rods  55 ) forward of lip  51  provides transverse support and ensures that material that drops through rake  21  is not excessively long in any dimension. Brackets  23  and/or  75  increase the longitudinal strength of attachment  1  and ensure that material does not fall off the end of rake  21 . Bolts  38  securely attach rake  21  to front end  51  along the width of bucket  3 . Spacer members  69  ensure that attachment  1  is properly oriented with respect to bottom  7  of bucket  3 . 
     Many variations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Some variations include a separate rake tooth bucket attachment. Other variations call for an integral rake tooth bucket assembly. All such variations are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.