Excavator basket-stick connection

Abstract

An excavator basket-stick connection utilizing a quick changing, removable connection adapter so that excavator baskets, i.e., back hoes, buckets, rippers, etc. can be interchangeably mounted on the same or different swinging members, viz., dipper sticks and the like. The adapting device includes a generally elongated U-shaped frame adapted to hookingly engage the upper free edge of the basket and opposite this engagement to enter into wedge bearing with the basket rear outer wall; the adapter frame being equipped with a plurality of pin receiving openings for connection to the dipper stick and the mounting lugs on the basket outer rear wall.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Historically, only a specific basket could be connected to a given pivoting member. Exemplary of this are the back hoe arrangements currently employed where the hoe basket is specifically designed and constructed for the hoe dipper stick. In large measure this has been due to the need for providing substantial resistance to the forces encountered in excavating. Further, the basket is intended to "curl" and this brings in an entirely different set of forces. More and more, excavating machines are being used in a variety of ways: lifting, penetrating, tamping, etc. so the stress disposition may change radically and this has led designers to focus on a single integrated unit.

Through the practice of the invention, we have avoided this drawback. By producing a quick changing, removable connecting adapter one bucket could be utilized on a number of different machines with varied connections. In the case of one specific machine, one connection adapter can be used with a number of different bucket or basket units to provide flexibility and application such as varying widths of buckets for a specific job or various classes to suit the different types of material such as light duty, medium duty and heavy duty.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device includes a generally U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced apart, parallel elongated members integrated by a bight member adjacent one frame end. These elongated members extend beyond the bight member and are formed into curved lugs adapted to hookingly engage the upper free edge of the basket. The elongated members are equipped with a plurality of pin receiving openings to accommodate connection to both the basket and to the stick. Further, we provide uniquely disposed and arranged stabilizing means so as to restrain movement of the basket relative to the stick in three mutually perpendicular directions.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of the ensuing specification.

DETIALED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter device and basket constructed according to teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the elements of FIG. 1 shown in assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the showing in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4-7 are fragmentary side elevational views of the elements seen in FIGS. 1-3 in the process of being assembled and with a portion of the dipper stick being seen in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is another fragmentary perspective view as viewed from the forward side of the rear wall of the basket; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper free edge of the rear wall of the basket.

In the illustration and with reference first to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 designates generally an excavator basket, more specifically, a back hoe bucket. The basket 10 is generally box-shaped having a front wall 11, a back wall 12 and side walls 13 and 14. In the illustration given the front and back walls 11 and 12, respectively, merge to provide the bottom 15 (see FIG. 2) of the basket. It will be appreciated that te basket 10 assumes a variety of attitudes and the term "bottom" is used in the sense of where the basket 10 is employed in a lifting mode. It further will be appreciated that the invention has applicability to a wide variety of baskets, for example, shovel dippers where there is a distinct bottom in the form of a releasable drop door for discharge of material scooped by the basket. Although not necessary for the practice of the invention, the upper free edge 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the front wall 11 is equipped with a plurality of spaced-apart outwardly projecting excavating teeth 17. The teeth 17 facilitate the penetration of the material being excavated and are intended to be replaceable when worn so as to eliminate the need for costly down time in otherwise repairing the free edge 16 of the basket 10.

Referring now briefly to FIG. 7, the numeral 10 again generally designates the excavating basket and seen coupled to that is an adapted device generally designated 18, serving to interconnect the basket 10 with a dipper stick 19. Normally the dipper stick 19 is pivotally connected to the basket 10 but according to the practice of this invention, the pivotal connection is between the dipper stick 19 and the adapter device or frame 18 -- the basket 10 being rigidly and immovably (but removably) connected to the frame 18.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the adapter device includes a generally U-shaped, elongated frame 20 -- made up of a pair of elongated members 21 and 22 which are integrated by a cross member 23. We also integgrate the side members 21 and 22 by a further cross member as at 24. However, as can be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 2, the elongated members 21 and 22 are integrated at the ends thereof connected to the cross member 24 by means of a mounting pin 25. Thus, the cross member 24 does not play quite the functional role that the cross member 23 does and hence we have designated the frame as being U-shaped with the cross member 23 being the bight portion of the U-shaped frame.

Each of the elongated members 21 and 22 projects beyond the cross member or bight portion 23 and is formed into a curved lug as at 26 (see FIG. 1). The lug 26 (now referring to FIG. 2) hookingly engages the upper free edge 27 of the basket rear wall 12. The preferred shape of the rear wall 12 at the upper free edge 27 can be seen in detail in FIG. 2.

The rear wall 12 of the basket 10 is equipped with mounting lugs 28 and 29 (see FIG. 1). The functional relationship of the lugs 28 and 29 along with the upper free edge 27 of the rear wall 12 can be appreciated from the sequence of connection operations depicted in FIGS. 407. In FIG. 4, the hook portion 26 is shown at the beginning of its engagement with the upper free edge portion 27. In proceeding from the showing in FIG. 4 to that in FIG. 5, the adapter device 18 is being pivoted to bring its "opposite" end (from that equipped with the lugs 26) into engagement with the lugs 28 and 29. This alignment has been completed in the showing in FIG. 6 and the openings 30 (see the upper left hand portion of FIG. 1, for example) in the end portions of the members 21 and 22 are aligned with the openings 31 and 32 in the lugs 28 and 29. This then makes it possible to insert the end 25 (see FIG. 6). The pin 25 (see FIG. 1) is equipped with an enlargement 33 at one end and at the other end a collar 34 having operably associated therewith a keeper 35.

Completing the assembly of the basket 10 and adapter 18 are a pair of spool and wedge locks. By referring to the exploded form seen in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the spool is designated 36 while the wedge is designated 37 and one set of each lock is provided for each of the elongated members 21 and 22. For that purpose, the members 21 and 22 are equipped with recesses or notches as at 38 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). After the pin 25 has been inserted (as seen in FIG. 6) the spool and wedge arrangement is inserted to bring about the showing of the parts in FIG. 7 -- see also the showing in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, for example, the spool 36 is initially installed in the notch 38 and thereafter the wedge 37 is driven home. The spool 36 is seen to have upstanding rib ends as at 39 an 40 which accommodate the positioning of the spool 36 relative to its associated elongated member 21 or 22, as the case may be. Additionally, the confronting faces of the spool 36 and its associated wedge 37 may be fluted as at 41 (see FIG. 1) to provide superior holding power. Normally, after the arrangement of the basket 10 and adapter 18 of FIG. 7 is achieved, the dipper stick 19 is connected to the adapter 18. For this purpose, the adapter 18 in each of the elongated members 21 and 22 is equipped with spaced apart openings as at 42 and 43 (see FIG. 6). In some instances we find it advantageous to provide a further set of openings as at 44 and 45 (one each for the elongated members 21 and 22, thereby accommodating the adapter 18 to even further sizes of dipper sticks.

For the purpose of insuring a stable mounting of the spool and wedge lock 36-37, we provide the outer upper rear wall 12 with a relatively flat bearing surface as at 46 (see FIG. 1). More particularly, the effective part of the surface 46 is that designated 46' in FIG. 9 and which is disposed for confronting relation with the underside of the wedge 37 (see FIG. 7).

Again referring to FIG. 9, it will be noted that the upper free edge 27 is equipped with a protuberance 47 (see also FIG. 1). The protuberance 47 (see FIG. 8) engages an integral recess 48 provided on the bight member 23 of the U-shaped frame 18. This locking arrangement (of the elements 47 and 48) along with the relationship of the mounting lugs 28 and 29 relative to the elongated member 21 and 22, provide support against side forces, i.e., restrains the basket 10 from moving sidewardly relative to the adapter device 18. By sidewardly, we refer to movement parallel with the free digging edge 16.

There are three other contact areas between the basket 10 and adapter device 18. First, there is the frame mounting pin 25 coupling the mounting lugs 28 and 29 to the elongated members 21 and 22 -- more particularly extending through the aligned openings 29, 30 and 31. This serves to prevent movement in the two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the length of the free digging edge 16. A second contact is that developed by the spool and wedge assembly 36-37 against the surface of the recess 38 in the elongated members 21 and 22, and the beam bearing surface 46 of the basket 10. The third contact is between the lug ends 26 of the elongated members 21 and 22 and a second beam bearing surface provided in the generally V-shaped upper free edge 27. We have designated this second beam bearing surface by the numeral 27' in FIG. 9. These three connections or contacts serve to resist the major digging and material handling loads. Any load of this type will cause a moment around the frame mounting pin 25. The direction of the moment determines the loading upon the frame.

From the foregoing, it is seen that each basket 10, standing by itself, contains the following distinctive features: a set of connection frame mounting lugs 26, a connection frame positioning and lateral stabilizing block or protuberance 47, a bearing surface continuous across the beam width for wedge support as at 46', and a bearing surface continuous across the beam width for connection lug retention as at 27'. Since it is intended that any connection or adapter frame is to assembly onto any bare basket 10, all baskets are intended to be identical. Thus, all mounting lugs 28 and 29 are advantageously of identical thickness and spacing. The mounting pin holes 30 of the adapter frame 18 are of identical bore diameter and location with respect to the beam bearing surfaces 46' and 27'. The frame positioning and stabilizing protuberance 47 is located on the beam front surface, i.e., the upper free edge of the rear wall 12, along the basket center line, viz., on the mid-plane extending through the front and back walls 11 and 12. It will be appreciated that an additional purpose of the protuberance or other lock means is to align the adapter frame 18 with the basket 10 and thus facilitate assembly. This locking means (consisting, as pictured, of elements 47 and 48) absorbs shear loads while preventing relative sideways movement between frame and basket and subsequent loosening of the spool and wedge assemblies, thereby performing a cooperative action between the two locks. In other words, the first locking means includes the elements 36, 37, 38 and 46 and stabilizes the adapter frame 18 against movement parallel to the length of the elongated members 21 and 22 which carry the notches or recesses 38. The second locking means (consisting, as pictured, of the elements 47 and 48) stabilize the basket (or, alternatively frame 18) against relative movement perpendicular to the length of the elongated members.

In the illustrated embodiment we provide a constant cross section top beam, viz., the free edge portion 27 as seen in FIG. 9, to provide bearing surfaces for retention of both the wedges 37 and connection lugs 26. We provide this constant section over the full width of the basket 10 to accommodate the various machine connections for which the lug spacing may vary from 9 inches to 24 inches with the thicknesses of the lugs 28 and 29 varying from 1 inch to 2 1/2 inches. In some instances it is advantageous to boss the elongated members 21 and 22 as at 49 in the upper central portion of FIG. 3. This permits matching the spread of the adapter frame 18 to the spread of the mounting lugs 28 and 29. Also seen in FIG. 3 are additional bosses as at 50, 51 and 52 which may be used for this purpose but also are advantageous in providing superior journals or bearings for the various pins received therein. It will be appreciated that the bosses (as at 49) may be attached to the outside or inside of the elongated members 41 and 22 depending on whether the spread is less than or greater than the spread of the frame mounting lugs 28 and 29. It will be seen that the elongated members 21 and 22 which also can be considered connection lugs, are primary components of the adapter assembly 18 containing the spool bearing surfaces (by virtue of the inner surfaces of the recesses 38), the beam bearing surface (as at 26' in FIG. 5), the dipper stick connection pin holes 42 and 43 and the frame mounting pin holes 30.

OPERATION

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the procedure for assembling the adapter frame 18 onto the basket 10. As seen in FIG. 4, the underside of the frame 18 is positioned adjacent the upper free edge or beam top surface of the rear wall 12 -- and with the lug hooks 26 reaching under the beam V section while centering the frame over the protuberance 47. Thereafter, as seen in FIG. 5, the adapter frame 18 is rotated around the beam, engaging the protuberance 47 with the mating recess 48. When the frame mounting pin holes align (see FIG. 6), the pin 25 and associated collar and keeper 34, 35, are installed. Finally, the spools 36 are installed and thereafter the wedges 37. The wedges are driven home to tighten and stabilize the connection between the frame 18 and the basket 10. Thus, the adapter frame 18 is retained on the basket 10 by the pin 25 and a unique clamping action around the hoe beam or upper enlarged free edge 27 at the front or top of the adapter frame 18. Because of the unique geometry involved, the pin 25 must be removed to permit disassembly. Therefore, if the spools and wedges 36-37 should happen to loosen, the connection assembly cannot fall apart. Upon tightening the wedges 37, the frame 18 pivots with respect to the basket 10 on the mounting pin 25. This action is restrained by the lug hooks 26, eliminating vertical looseness. Horizontal tightening occurs through the wedging of the inclined beam surface 27' against the lug hooks 26. With movement prevented sideways by the stabilizing protuberance 47, the frame 18 is effectively attached to the basket or hoe 10. The use of the pin retention as pictured makes possible satisfactory clearance around the machine stick 19 during bucket curl. Further, the attachment points are substantially removed from the basket center line to yield maximum stability.

Although we have depicted one of the connections in terms of a spool and wedge combination, it will be appreciated that other types of connections are possible. Preferably, a variable expansion system is employed for this purpose.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in the details hereingiven may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A connecting device for interchangeably connecting an excavator basket to an excavator stick comprising

a generally U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced apart, parallel elongated members integrated by a bight member adjacent one frame end,

a cross member further integrating said elongated members spaced from said one end,

said elongated members extending beyond said bight member at said one end and formed into curved lugs adapted to hookingly engage an edge of said basket,

said elongated members adjacent the other frame end being equipped with aligned openings for the receipt of a pivot pin, said pin also adapted to engage the basket pivot means,

each elongated member adjacent said bight member being equipped with a first locking means disposed in confronting relation with its associated lug for receipt of lock to stabilize said frame on a basket against movement on said basket parallel to the length of said elongated members and away from said basket, and

said bight member being equipped with second locking means for engagement with said basket to stabilize said frame against movement on said basket perpendicular to the length of said elongated members.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said bight member lock includes a slot engageable with a basket protuberance upon hooking engagement of said elongated member lugs with said basket edge.

3. In combination, an excavator basket, and excavator stick and a connecting device therebetween releasably fixed to said basket and pivotally connected to said stick for facilitating interchangeability,

said basket having a wall equipped with means external of said basket for optionally pivotally connecting said basket to said stick, said wall terminating in an upper free edge,

said device including a generally U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced apart parallel elongated members integrated by a bight member adjacent one frame end,

a cross member further integrating said elongated member spaced from said one end,

said elongated members extending beyond said bight member at said one end and formed into curved lugs hookingly engaging said edge,

said elongated members adjacent the other frame and being equipped with aligned openings for the receipt of a pivot pin,

a pin extending through said aligned openings and said basket external means,

each elongated member adjacent said bight member being equipped with a first locking means disposed in confronting relation to its associated lug for the receipt of a lock to stabilize said frame on said basket against movement on said basket parallel to the length of said elongated members and away from said basket,

a lock operably associated with each first locking means,

said basket adjacent said edge being equipped with cooperating locking means adapted to cooperate with second locking means on said bight member for stabilizing said frame against movement on said basket perpendicular to the length of said elongated members, and second locking means on said bight member.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said wall adjacent said edge is equipped with a thickened portion for engagement with said curved lugs.

5. The structure of claim 3 in which said locking means includes a wedge.

6. An excavator basket adapted to be connected to a plurality of excavating sticks comprising a generally rectangular box having a front wall terminating in a free edge for digging and a rear wall spaced from said front wall, said rear wall having fixed thereto a pair of spaced apart mounting lugs each equipped with a pin receiving opening with the openings aligned to receive a pin disposed generally parallel to said digging edge, said rear wall also terminating in a free edge having a beam section, said rear wall and the portion thereof adjacent said free edge being equipped with inner and outer bearing surfaces, a lock means on said rear wall between said bearing surfaces for stabilizing said basket against movement relative to said stick parallel to said digging edge, said bearing surfaces being arranged to stabilize said basket against movement relative to said stick in the two other directions orthogonally related to said digging edge.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said locking means includes an upstanding protuberance positioned along the center plane passing through said front and rear walls.