AU2018101073A4

AU2018101073A4 - Excavator bucket

Info

Publication number: AU2018101073A4
Application number: AU2018101073A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Carroll
Original assignee: Carroll Plant & Haulage Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Carroll Plant & Haulage Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-21
Filing date: 2018-08-02
Publication date: 2018-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-02

Abstract

An excavator bucket for an excavator, the excavator bucket having two opposed shoulder portions, a mounting portion to mount the bucket to the excavator, 5 and a base wall releasably attached to the two opposed shoulder portions, wherein the base wall is predominantly made from a plastic material. Figure 1

Description

EXCAVATOR BUCKET

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an excavator bucket. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to an excavator. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Excavator buckets are used to dig into and excavate material such as soil. A problem with excavator buckets is that they can damage underground utilities such as electricity conduits, water pipes and gas pipes. This can be very dangerous to workers in and around the excavator particularly when electricity conduits or gas pipes are damaged.

To avoid dangerous situations when underground utilities are damaged, less force can be applied to the excavator bucket. A problem with this is that it can lead to the excavation taking more time, or to the excavator bucket not having enough force to adequately penetrate the ground.

To avoid damage, underground utilities can be found and marked before excavation can begin. However, this process can be time consuming and expensive.

Another prior art solution is to maintain a database with all known underground utilities. However, a problem with this is that some underground utilities may be inadvertently omitted from the database.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with excavator buckets and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an excavator bucket for an excavator, the excavator bucket having two opposed shoulder portions; a mounting portion to mount the bucket to the excavator; and a base wall releasably attached to the two opposed shoulder portions, wherein the base wall is predominantly made from a plastic material.

The term plastic should not be confused with the technical adjective plastic. Each of the two opposed shoulder portions are preferably substantially planar.

The two opposed shoulder portions are preferably substantially parallel to each other. The two opposed shoulder portions are preferably made from plate material. Each of the two opposed shoulder portions preferably has a thickness in the range of 10mm to 40mm. More preferably each of the two opposed shoulder portions has a thickness of substantially 20mm.

The two opposed shoulder portions preferably substantially define the width of the excavator bucket. The width of the excavator bucket is preferably in the range of 300mm to 1000mm. More preferably the width of the excavator bucket is in the range of 500mm to 700mm. In one embodiment, the width of the excavator bucket is substantially 600mm. The two opposed shoulder portions are preferably made of metal. More preferably the two opposed shoulder portions are made from steel.

The base wall is preferably made from a plastic material. In one embodiment the plastic material is a high density plastic material. More preferably the plastic material is a high density polyethylene. Preferably the plastic material has a volume resistivity of at least 1013 Ω-cm (10Λ13 ohm centimetre). More preferably the plastic material has a volume resistivity of at least 1014 Ω-cm (10Λ14 ohm centimetre). The base wall is preferably made from a sheet of plastic material. The base wall preferably has a thickness in the range of 10mm to 40mm. More preferably the base wall has a thickness of substantially 20mm.

The base wall preferably defines a cutting edge and two opposed sides. The base wall is preferably at least partially arcuate such that the two opposed sides extend in substantially the same direction. The arcuate portion of the base wall preferably has a radius in the range of 150mm to 500mm. More preferably the arcuate portion has a radius in the range of 250mm to 350mm.

In one embodiment, the base wall has a substantially ‘IT shaped cross section. Preferably the base wall has a flat central portion. If the base wall has a flat central portion, preferably the base wall has two arcuate corner portions each with a radius in the range of 50mm to 250mm. More preferably each corner portion has a radius in the range of 100mm to 200mm. In one embodiment, each corner portion has a radius of substantially 150mm. Preferably the opposed sides of the base wall extend substantially perpendicular to a central portion of the base wall.

Preferably the cutting edge of the base wall is at least partially bevelled or chamfered.

In one embodiment, the base wall includes attachment portions to attach the base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions. The attachment portions preferably extend adjacent the two opposed sides of the base wall. The attachment portions preferably include apertures which align with respective apertures in the two opposed shoulder portions.

Preferably fasteners are used to releasably attach the attachment portions to the two opposed shoulder portions. The fasteners are preferably bolts. The attachment portions are preferably located adjacent an inner side of the two opposed shoulder portions. The base wall is preferably releasably attached to the side portions so that the base wall can be replaced with another base wall.

In one embodiment, the excavator further includes cover members. The cover members preferably cover at least a portion of the attachment members. Preferably, each cover member at least partially covers a corresponding attachment member. The cover members preferably provide some protection to the attachment members from excavated material. The cover members are preferably releasably attached to the respective attachment members and the respective opposed side portions. The cover members are preferably made of metal. More preferably the cover members are made of steel.

Preferably the cover members cover at least a portion of the corresponding attachment members and at least a portion of the corresponding two opposed shoulder portions. More preferably the cover members each include a flange portion to cover at least a portion of the corresponding attachment members towards the cutting edge, and at least a portion of the corresponding two opposed shoulder portions. Preferably in this manner, the attachment members are at least partially protected from excavated material entering the excavation bucket during excavation.

Preferably the excavator bucket further includes a rear wall located adjacent a rear edge of the base wall. The rear wall preferably extends between the two opposed sides of the rear wall. More preferably the rear wall extends between the two opposed sides of the rear wall and the central portion of the base wall.

In one embodiment, the rear wall is integrally formed with the base wall.

The rear wall is preferably made from a plastic material. In one embodiment the plastic material is a high density plastic material. More preferably the plastic material is a high density polyethylene. Preferably the plastic material has a volume resistivity of at least 1013 Ω-cm (10Λ13 ohm centimetre). More preferably the plastic material has a volume resistivity of at least 1014 Ω-cm (10Λ14 ohm centimetre). The rear wall is preferably made from a sheet of plastic material. The rear wall preferably has a thickness in the range of 10mm to 40mm. More preferably the rear wall has a thickness of substantially 20mm.

Preferably the excavator bucket further includes a roof member. The roof member preferably spaces the two opposed shoulder portions. The roof member is preferably attached to the two opposed shoulder portions. More preferably the roof member is welded to the two opposed shoulder portions. The roof member is preferably made of metal. More preferably the roof member is made of steel.

In one embodiment, the roof member extends between the two opposed shoulder portions and the rear wall. Preferably the roof portion is releasably attached to the rear wall.

The mounting portion is preferably attached to the roof portion. More preferably the mounting portion is welded to the roof portion.

Preferably, the rear wall includes an attachment portion to attach the rear wall to the roof member. The attachment portion preferably extends adjacent the rear wall. The attachment portion preferably includes apertures which align with respective apertures in the roof member. Preferably fasteners are used to releasably attach the attachment portion to the roof member. The fasteners are preferably bolts. The attachment portion is preferably located adjacent an inner side of the roof member.

Preferably the side portions, the base wall, the rear wall and the roof member define an internal space of the excavator bucket.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an excavator bucket assembly including an upper part including two opposed shoulder portions; and a mounting portion to mount to the excavator; and a lower part including a base wall, wherein the lower part is releasably attachable to the upper part, and wherein the base wall is predominantly made from a plastic material.

Preferably the upper part further includes a roof portion located at least partially between the two opposed shoulder portions.

Preferably the lower part further includes a rear wall, the rear wall and the base wall defining an internal space. Preferably the rear wall is attached to the base wall. In one embodiment, the rear wall is integrally formed with the base wall.

Preferably the rear wall is releasably attachable to the roof portion.

Preferably the opposed side portions are opposed side portions as described in this specification.

Preferably the base wall is a base wall as described in this specification.

Preferably the rear wall is a rear wall as described in this specification.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of replacing a base wall of an excavation bucket as described in this specification, the method including the steps of removing the base wall from the two opposed shoulder portions; and attaching a new base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions.

Preferably the step of removing the base wall from the two opposed shoulder portions includes removing fasteners that were attaching the base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions. Preferably the step further includes removing cover members that were covering attachment members of the base wall.

Preferably the method further includes the step of removing the rear wall from the roof member.

Preferably the step of attaching a new base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions includes the step of attaching a new rear wall to the roof member.

Preferably the step of attaching a new base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions includes locating the cover members at least partially over respective attachment members of the new base wall.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an excavator bucket according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the excavator bucket of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the excavator bucket of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the excavator bucket of Figure 1 without the base wall and the rear wall;

Figure 5 is a detail view of portion A of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an excavator bucket according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the excavator bucket of Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1-5, there is shown an excavator bucket 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The excavator bucket 10 has two opposed shoulder portions 12,14 spaced apart by a roof member 16. The two opposed shoulder portions 12,14 are made from plate steel and are welded to the roof member 16. The excavator bucket 10 has a mounting portion 18 to mount the excavator bucket 10 to an excavator (not shown).

The excavator bucket 10 includes an arcuate base wall 20. The base wall 20 is made from a sheet of high density polyethylene having a volume resistivity of around 1014 Ω-cm. The base wall 20 defines a cutting edge 22 and two opposed sides 24,26. The cutting edge 22 is bevelled to assist in penetrating the ground. The two opposed sides 24,26 extend in substantially the same direction. The base wall 20 has attachment portions 30,32 extending adjacent the two opposed sides 24,26 of the base wall 20. The attachment portions 30,32 have apertures (not shown) that align with corresponding apertures 34 in the two opposed shoulder portions 12,14.

The excavator bucket 10 includes cover members 36,38 which cover the attachment portions 30,32. The cover members 36,38 protect the attachment portions 30,32 from excavated material (not shown) in the excavator bucket 10. The cover members 36,38 have flange portions 40,42. The flange portions 40,42 inhibit the attachment portions 30,32 from being pushed backwards by excavated material during excavation. The cover members 36,38 also have skirt portions 46,48 which extend under a portion of the attachment portions 30,32.

The cover members 36,38 have apertures 44 that align with corresponding apertures 34 in the two opposed shoulder portions 12,14 and apertures (not shown) in the attachment portions 30,32.

Fasteners in the form of bolts (not shown) are inserted into the apertures 44, 34 and apertures (not shown) in the attachment portions 30,32 to releasably attach the respective cover members 36,38, the attachment portions 30,32 and the respective ones of the two opposed shoulder portions 12,14 together.

The excavator bucket 10 includes a rear wall 50. The rear wall 50 is attached to the base wall 20. The rear wall 50 is releasably attached to the roof member 16. The rear wall 50 has an attachment member 52. The attachment member 52 has a plurality of apertures (not shown) which align with apertures (not shown) in the roof member 16. The excavator bucket also has a rear cover member 54 which covers the attachment member 52. The rear cover member 54 has a plurality of apertures 56 which align with the plurality of apertures (not shown) of the attachment member 52 and the apertures (not shown) in the roof member 16. Fasteners in the form of bolts (not shown) are inserted into the apertures 56, the plurality of apertures (not shown) of the attachment member 52 and the apertures (not shown) in the roof member 16 to attach the attachment member 52, the roof member 16 and the rear cover member 54 together.

With reference to Figure 4, there is shown the excavator bucket 10 without the base wall and the rear wall. Figure 4 shows the position of the cover members 36,38 relative to the two opposed shoulder portions 12,14.

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of portion A in Figure 4, showing the flange portion 40 and the skirt portion 46 of cover member 36 in detail.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown an excavator bucket 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The excavator bucket 110 is similar to the excavator bucket 10 shown in Figures 1-3, and similar numbering has been used with the addition of the prefix 1. A notable difference between the excavator bucket 110 and the excavator bucket 10 shown in Figures ΙΟ is that the excavator bucket 110 does not have cover members. Another difference between the excavator bucket 110 and the excavator bucket 10 shown in Figures 1 -3 is the shape of the base walls 120,20.

The excavator bucket 110 has two opposed shoulder portions 112,114 spaced apart by a roof member 116. The two opposed shoulder portions 112,114 are made from plate steel and are welded to the roof member 116. The excavator bucket 110 has a mounting portion 118 welded to the roof member 116 to mount the excavator bucket 110 to an excavator (not shown).

The excavator bucket 110 includes an arcuate base wall 120. The base wall 120 is made from a sheet of high density polyethylene having a volume resistivity of approximately 1014 Ω-cm. The base wall 120 defines a cutting edge 122 and two opposed sides 124,126, and a central flat portion 123. The cutting edge 122 is bevelled to assist in penetrating the ground. The two opposed sides 124,126 extend in substantially the same direction.

The base wall 120 has attachment portions 130,132 extending adjacent the two opposed sides 124,126 of the base wall 120. The attachment portions 130,132 are made of the same material as the base wall 120 and are glued to the base wall 120. The attachment portions 130,132 have apertures 133 (only apertures in attachment portion 132 shown) that align with corresponding apertures 134 (only apertures in opposed shoulder portion 114 shown) in the two opposed shoulder portions 112,114.

Fasteners in the form of bolts (not shown) are inserted into the apertures 133, and apertures 134 to releasably attach the the attachment portions 130,132 to the respective ones of the two opposed shoulder portions 112,114.

The excavator bucket 110 includes a rear wall 150. The rear wall 150 is attached to the base wall 120. The rear wall 150 is made of the same material as the base wall 120.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the excavator bucket includes a softer cutting edge that is less likely to damage underground utilities compared to an excavator bucket having a metal cutting edge. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the excavator bucket includes reduced conductivity providing protection against damages underground power cables. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the excavator bucket includes a base wall which can be replaced when worn.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An excavator bucket for an excavator, the excavator bucket having two opposed shoulder portions; a mounting portion to mount the bucket to the excavator; and a base wall releasably attached to the two opposed shoulder portions, wherein the base wall is predominantly made from a plastic material.

2. An excavator bucket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic material is a high density polyethylene.

3. An excavator bucket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plastic material has a volume resistivity of at least 1013 Ω-cm.

4. An excavator bucket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall defines a cutting edge and two opposed sides, the base wall being at least partially arcuate such that the two opposed sides of the base wall extend in substantially the same direction, the base wall including attachment portions extending adjacent the two opposed sides of the base wall to releasably attach the base wall to the two opposed shoulder portions.

5. An excavator bucket assembly including an upper part including two opposed shoulder portions; and a mounting portion to mount to the excavator; and a lower part including a base wall, wherein the lower part is releasably attachable to the upper part, and wherein the base wall is predominantly made from a plastic material.