U.S. patent number 3,765,490 [Application Number 05/267,520] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-16 for combined loader bucket and fines separator.
Invention is credited to George E. Logue.
United States Patent |
3,765,490 |
Logue |
October 16, 1973 |
COMBINED LOADER BUCKET AND FINES SEPARATOR
Abstract
A loader bucket or scoop is adapted to separate fines after
scooping material into the bucket by providing a movable grid to be
positioned over the open side. The grid is substantially the same
shape as the bucket or scoop and is positionable therein in an
out-of-the-way position for loading of the scoop. A power means
comprising a hydraulic motor and worm gear and pinion combinations
serve to relatively move the grid between the operative position
and the inoperative position. The grid is contiguous with the
inside surface of the scoop and when the scoop and grid are
cylindrical the grid moves in an arc and 360.degree. movement may
be accommodated. A scraping edge is provided on the grid for
removing stuck material on the inside surface of the scoop and the
grid may be formed of steel reinforcing rods; the cross rods also
serving as scrapers and agitating the innermost portion of the load
prior to dumping.
Inventors: |
Logue; George E.
(Montoursville, PA) |
Family
ID: |
23019134 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/267,520 |
Filed: |
June 29, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
171/132;
37/444 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F
7/06 (20130101); E02F 3/401 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02F
7/06 (20060101); E02F 7/00 (20060101); E02F
3/40 (20060101); A01d 015/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;171/132 ;37/118R,117.5
;209/241 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Guida; Antonio F.
Claims
I claim:
1. A combined loader bucket and fines separator comprising a scoop
having an open side to receive and dump the load, a cutting edge
along said side to engage the material for loading, a movable grid
for positioning over said open side in an operative position to
allow passage of fines during dumping of the load, said grid being
substantially the same shape as said scoop and positionable therein
in an inoperative position, and power means for relatively moving
said grid between the operative position outside the scoop and the
inoperative position within said scoop, whereby said grid is stowed
out of the way in the inoperative position and the innermost
portion of the load is agitated by movement of said grid prior to
dumping.
2. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 1 wherein said
grid is contiguous with and substantially conforms to the internal
surface of said scoop when positioned therein, whereby the load
presses the grid against said surface for enhancing the conforming
relationship during each loading cycle.
3. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 1 wherein said
scoop is substantially cylindrical with a portion of the curved
wall being removed to form said open side.
4. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 3 wherein said
grid is also substantially cylindrical with a portion removed and
is contiguous with and substantially conforms to the internal
surface of said scoop when positioned therein, pivot mounting means
for said grid on the ends of scoop, whereby said grid moves in an
arc and the load presses the grid against said surface for
enhancing the conforming relationship during each loading cycle to
form a more perfect cylinder of the grid.
5. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 4 wherein said
scoop and said grid are coaxial whereby movement of said grid
through 360.degree. may be accommodated.
6. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 2 wherein said
grid includes a scraping edge along the open side thereof to remove
any material stuck to the inside surface during the relative
movement.
7. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 1 wherein is
provided a frame for said grid including closed end segments and
cross members spanning between said segments and defining said open
side.
8. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 7 wherein said
cross members include a scraping edge directed in the direction of
movement to scrape material stuck to the internal surface of said
scoop.
9. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 1 wherein said
scoop and grid are substantially cylindrical with corresponding
open sides, said grid including cross elements and circumferential
elements, said cross elements being contiguous with and
substantially conforming to the internal surface of said scoop when
positioned therein, whereby the load presses the grid against said
surface for enhancing the conforming relationship during each
loading cycle, and said cross elements serving as scrapers to
remove any material stuck to the inside surface during the relative
movement.
10. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 9 wherein said
elements are steel reinforcing rods to add strength and rigidity to
said grid.
11. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 9 wherein the
open side of said scoop is formed with the cutting edge and the
opposed edge at the top of said scoop at an acute angle to the
cylinder of said scoop and said grid whereby said grid is guided in
its movement into said scoop.
12. The combined bucket and fines separator of claim 9 wherein said
grid is mounted on pivot stub shafts on the ends of said scoop and
said power means includes a drive pinion on each shaft, a worm
mated with each pinion and hydraulic motor means for driving said
worms, whereby said grid is power driven from both ends.
Description
The present invention relates to loader buckets or scoops for
material handling, and more particularly, to a scoop having a
movable grid for fines separation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A front end loader is a valuable piece of equipment when it is put
to use by a contractor moving dirt or other material. The bucket or
scoop of a loader is designed to accommodate relatively large
loads, and the loader may be driven over short distances and then
deposit the load in a dump truck or other selected location.
In the past, there have been several attempts to accommodate a
movable screen that may be selectively placed over the opening of
the scoop after the load has been picked up so that the coarse
material and fines may be selectively deposited at two different
locations. Representative showings of a loader scoop with a fines
separator are the U.S. Pats. to Hockenberry, No. 3,072,257 and
Lutjens, No. 3,003,265, issued Jan. 8, 1963, and Oct. 10, 1961,
respectively. These prior art devices have been characterized by
mounting of the screen so that it is difficult to bring the same
into operative position. Also, the screen is positioned so as to be
in the way of efficient operation of the scoop when loading and
during periods when the screen is not in use.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to overcome
the above-cited objections and to provide a combined loader bucket
and fines separator of an improved design.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a loader
bucket and separator wherein a grid for separating the large
objects of the material, such as rocks, from the fines, such as the
dirt, may be positioned totally within the scoop in an
out-of-the-way position.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
loader bucket and fines separator wherein the separator conforms to
the internal surface of the bucket in the stowed position and is
made to conform or reconform more completely during each loading
cycle.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
combined loader bucket or scoop and fines separator with integral
scraping means for loosening and agitating material on the inside
of the bucket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
A bucket or scoop for a loader or similar apparatus is provided
having an open side to receive and dump the load and with a movable
grid that may be positioned over the open side in an operative
position to allow passage of fines while retaining the large
material in the bucket for separate discharge. One application of
the apparatus that is most widely used is the separating of rocks
or boulders from the fine dirt during an excavation type operation.
The dirt may be placed in a pile next to an excavation, such as a
sewer line trench, for redepositing or backfilling in the trench
after laying of the line. The rocks, on the other hand, are
separated from the fill dirt and deposited in a dump truck and
disposed of. By so separating the rocks, breaking of the pipe in
the trench cannot occur during the back-filling operation. However,
it is to be understood that the invention is useful in other, but
similar environments, wherein it is desired to separate a coarse
material from the fines in a scooping or loading operation.
The grid is in accordance with the present invention substantially
the same shape as the scoop and positionable in what can be
described as a nested position within the scoop. The grid is
contiguous with and conforms to the internal surface of the bucket.
With the introduction of each load, the grid is pressed against the
bucket to make the grid more completely conform thereto. Power
means is provided for relatively moving the grid and the scoop so
that the grid may be brought to the operative position outside of
said scoop and positioned over the open side to allow passage of
fines during the initial dumping of the load that has been picked
up. In accordance with features of the invention, the grid is thus
stowed in an out-of-the-way position so that the bucket can be
operated without deleterious interference from the grid. The load
within the bucket or scoop is agitated or broken up along the
innermost portion thereof by relative movement of the grid and
bucket just prior to dumping. Any material stuck on the bucket is
removed by scrapers and the cross members of the grid during each
cycle.
Advantageously, the grid is contiguous with and substantially
conforms to the internal surface of the scoop when positioned
therein. Preferably, the scoop and the grid are substantially
semicylindrical with the grid being pivotally mounted on the ends
of the scoop. The scoop and grid are coaxial whereby relative
movement of the two may take place through a full 360.degree.. The
cylindrical portion of the scoop terminates in tangentially
extending edges to permit the guiding of the grid when the same
moves into the scoop from the operative position over the open side
or face.
The scraping edges of the grid are formed by sharpened cross
members spanning between end segments that together form a frame
for the grid. The cross elements of the grid and the intersecting
circumferential elements are fabricated of steel rods of the
concrete reinforcing type to add strength and rigidity to the grid.
The relative movement between the scoop and the grid is generated
by a hydraulic motor/worm gear and pinion driving system.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description, wherein I have shown and described
only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of
illustration of the best mode contemplated by me of carrying out my
invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other
and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of
modification in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are
to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
a bucket or scoop with combined fines separator attached thereto in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the scoop with the grid rotated to the
inoperative position within the confines of said scoop;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the grid rotated to the
operative position covering the open side of the scoop for
confining the load therein;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the scoop tilted
forwardly to allow the fines of the load to be discharged through
the grid;
FIG. 5 is a view also similar to FIG. 3, but with the grid rotated
to the stowed position nested inside the scoop;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the formation of the grid from
intersecting steel rods.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The overall perspective view of FIG. 1 shows a combined loader
bucket and fines separator 10 that can be considered to be a
preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus of the
invention comprises a bucket or scoop 11 and a retractable grid 12,
that is shown in a position halfway between the operative
(extended) and inoperative (retracted) positions. The scoop 11 is
preferably of cylindrical shape and has an open side through which
the load is taken up and discharged. Along the lower edge of the
open side is provided a cutting edge 13, which may include
individual cutting teeth 14 for engaging the material to be loaded
and assisting in dislodging of the material for easier and more
efficient operation. The scoop 11 has closed ends 15, 15', and the
scoop 11 may be provided with conventional support arms 16, 16' and
actuating linkage 17, 17'.
The grid 12 is supported by a frame including end segments 20 and
cross members 21, 21'. The cross members 21, 21' define the open
side of the grid 12 (note the dotted-line showing of FIG. 2) to
allow introduction of the load into the bucket. The cross members
21 have sharpened edges as can be seen in this FIG. to allow ease
of introduction of the load as the bucket or scoop 15 is pushed to
cut away and pick up the material. Also, these edges serve as
scrapers for the inside surface of the scoop 11 to dislodge any
material that is stuck to the surface when the grid 12 is rotated
relative to said inside surface.
As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the end segments 20, 20' are mounted on
stub shafts 25, 25' so that the grid 12 is mounted for rotary
action into and out of the scoop 15. Each stub shaft 25, 25' is
provided with a pinion 26, 26' (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that is rotated
by a worm gear 27, 27'. The worm gear 27 may be directly driven by
a hydraulic motor M that is fed pressurized fluid through feed
lines 28. A housing 29 is provided on the end plate 15 to protect
the drive mechanism from outside forces. A drive shaft 30 extends
through the rear of the housing 29 from the motor M for driving a
rotary motion transfer system. The system may include bevel gear
combinations 31, 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) cross connecting shaft 33,
and a drive shaft 34 driving the worm 27'.
With the preferred arrangement shown, the motor M drives both
pinions 26, 26' with the same force and to the same extent and the
end segments 20, 20' thus in synchronism, and the grid 12 is not
subject to skewing action. With this arrangement, the grid 12 may
be easily operated into and out of the scoop 11, as shown by the
motion arrow A in FIG. 1.
In operation, the scoop 15 is positioned adjacent the ground G or
other surface on which it is to operate to pick up the desired
material. The grid 12 is positioned inside the scoop 15, as shown
in FIG. 2, contiguous with and conforming to the inside surface.
The load is picked up in a conventional manner by moving the scoop
15 forward to gather desired amount of material load L, as shown in
FIG. 2. The bucket 15 is raised and tilted rearwardly, as shown in
FIG. 3, in order to confine the load within the bucket. The grid 12
is then rotated by the motor M in the direction of the motion arrow
A.sub.1.
As the grid 12 moves in the direction of the arrow A.sub.1, the
load L is conveniently trapped in the scoop 15 as the bottom cross
member 21' rotates up and under said load. The load L may include
coarse material, or rocks R, and fine material, or dirt f. Once the
grid 12 has been moved to the closed or covered position over the
open face of the scoop 15, the scoop 15 and said grid 12 together
now form a complete cylinder, as shown in FIG. 3.
The actuating mechanism 17 may then be utilized to tilt the scoop
15 forwardly (as shown in FIG. 4) to shift the load L down into the
screening or sifting region formed by the grid 12. When this is
done, the rocks R are held within the cylinder, and the fines
f.sub.1 sift out through the grid 12 for depositing in a desired
location. In order to encourage sifting of the fines f.sub.1
through the grid 12, the actuating linkage 17 may be jogged back
and forth rapidly in order to shift and loosen the material.
After all of the fines f.sub.1 have been deposited in the desired
location, the bucket 15 is moved by relocation of the vehicle to
which it is attached. A separate area of discharge is then reached;
and further rotation of the grid 12, preferably in the same
direction A.sub.1, is carried out to allow discharge of the large
material or rocks R (see FIG. 5).
In accordance with an important feature of this invention, as the
cross member 21 is moved along the inside surface of the scoop 15,
any excess material or mud stuck to that inside surface is scraped
free and may be dumped with the rocks R, such as is represented by
the deposit of mud D, shown in FIG. 5. The scoop is thereby left
completely clean of substantially all material for greatest
capacity on the next excavating cycle.
The grid 12 is preferably formed of a plurality of cross elements
40 as can best be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 6 taken in the
direction of the line 6--6 of FIG. 4. With the cross elements 40 on
the outside of the grid 12, these elements are mounted contiguous
with and in guiding relationship with the inside surface of the
scoop 15 when the grid 12 is rotated to the inoperative position in
the scoop 15 (see FIG. 5). These cross elements 40 thus also scrape
across the inside surface during the relative movement between the
grid 12 and the scoop 15 so that additional cleaning of the bucket
is accomplished.
Furthermore, as the grid 12 is rotated from the position of FIG. 2
to the closed or operative position of FIG. 3, the innermost
portion of the load is agitated prior to dumping to assure
loosening of the material and a good separating process. This
agitation is in the form of sliding and tumbling action as the grid
12 moves under the load L that is held in position by gravity (see
FIG. 3).
The circumferentially extending members 41 also serve to form the
grid through which the fines f.sub.1 pass. The elements 40, 41 may
be made of steel rods, such as concrete reinforcing rods. These are
preferred since such reinforcing rods are available in a wide range
of gages, are readily available, and are exceptionally strong.
Also, the rods may be easily welded together at the crossing points
thereby reinforcing the grid 12 in a highly advantageous manner. If
desired, other grid material, such as expanded metal of a heavy
gage, may be utilized.
The lower edge 13 and the upper or opposed edge 50, preferably
extends tangentially and at an acute angle to the wall of the
cylinder delineated by the scoop 15 and the grid 12. This angle
.theta. is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. This is
important so that the grid 12 may be rotated in either direction
and through the full 360.degree. into and out of the scoop 15
without any chance of binding or catching on the edges 13, 50. The
cross elements 40 are in effect led into and pressed back into
position should they have been bent temporarily out-of-line by the
previous separating action.
The elements 40, and indeed the whole grid 12, is made to conform
to the inside surface of the scoop 15 during each cycle by an
opposite or pushing-in action. As a load is picked up and is pushed
back into the rear of the scoop 15, there is a pressing of the grid
12 outwardly into a more intimate engagement with the scoop thereby
enhancing the conforming relationship of the grid 12 to the inside
surface during each loading cycle.
In summary, the combined loader bucket and fines separator 10 of
the present invention is characterized by a semicylindrical grid 12
that is rotatably movable between an operative position over the
mouth of the bucket or scoop 11, and an inoperative position within
and conformed to the shape of the scoop 11. The grid 12 includes
supporting end segments 20, 20' and sharpened cross members 21 that
serve as a frame; the latter also serving as integral scrapers. The
grid is fabricated of steel rods; and the grid being guided by
engagement with lead-in edges 50, 13 at the top and bottom of the
scoop 15, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4. A hydraulic motor M
drives through a direct drive system the supporting stub shafts 25,
25' for the grid 12.
In this disclosure, there is shown and described only the preferred
embodiment of the invention, but as aforementioned, it is to be
understood that the invention is capable of use in various other
combinations and environment and is capable of changes or
modifications within the scope of the invention concept as
expressed herein.
* * * * *