Patent ID: 6994513

Claim:
A variable width backhoe bucket, wherein the width of the backhoe bucket can be reversibly adjusted between a minimum value and a maximum value, comprising: a middle shell having a curved bottom, first and second opposite sides, and first and second opposite ends, wherein the first opposite end is configured to attach to a stick section of a backhoe boom, a first side shell flanking the first opposite side of the middle shell, and a second side shell flanking the second opposite side of the middle shell, wherein each side shell defines a bottom and a side panel such that the side shells are in substantially mirror symmetry with respect to each other; and a constrained guidance system, comprising: a plurality of elongated male members such that at least one elongated male member is attached to and traverses across the bottom of each side shell, a plurality of complementary elongated female members that are attached to and traverse across the bottom of the middle shell, wherein the elongated female members each comprise a bore configured to accommodate one of the plurality of elongated male members, and a first and second oppositely opposed hydraulic cylinders with opposite ends, one opposite end of the first and second cylinders respectively attached to the middle shell and the other opposite ends of the first and second cylinders respectively attached to the first and second side shells; whereby the constrained guidance system reversibly moves the first and second side shells in and out relative to the middle shell thereby reversibly adjusting the width of the backhoe bucket.