CA3196174C - Locking system for bucket door - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking system for a bucket of the type has a main body and a door pivotally connected to the main body. The locking system may include at least one arm adapted to be pivotally connected to the main body of the bucket to rotate about a first rotational axis, and at least one blocking link adapted to be pivotally connected to the door at a second rotational axis, the at least one arm and the at least one blocking link pivotally connected to one another at a third rotational axis. The first rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in an imaginary plane extending from the first rotational axis to the third rotational axis. The second rotational axis is located on one side of the imaginary plane in a blocking configuration, and on the other side of the imaginary plane in a release configuration.

Description

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR BUCKET DOOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the priority of an United States Patent Application filed on September 22, 2020.
TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to excavation equipment such as earth-working buckets, also known as excavation buckets and dippers, and more particularly to door locking mechanisms of such equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0003] Excavation equipment, and in particular earth working buckets such as cable shovel dippers, are used, amongst other applications, for heavy earthwork applications such as mining and excavation. Buckets typically have a leading edge, also known as the lip, that performs a digging action, so as to fill the cavity of the bucket. A closable door is on the trailing end of the bucket, and may be opened to empty the bucket of its content. Due to the weight of the content in the bucket, and the harsh conditions of operation (e.g., moisture, dirt, abrasiveness), known mechanisms to close the bucket door are exposed to wear, and this may hamper the closing action of the door and lead to maintenance, downtime, repairs, etc.
SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a locking system for a bucket of the type having a main body and a door pivotally connected to the main body, the locking system comprising: at least one arm adapted to be pivotally connected to the main body of the bucket to rotate about a first rotational axis, and at least one blocking link adapted to be pivotally connected to the door at a second rotational axis, the at least one arm and the at least one blocking link pivotally connected to one another at a third rotational axis, wherein the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in an imaginary plane extending from the first Date Regue/Date Received 2023-03-22 rotational axis to the third rotational axis, and wherein the second rotational axis is located on one side of the imaginary plane in a blocking configuration, and on the other side of the imaginary plane in a release configuration.

[0005] Further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the at least one arm is L
shaped.

[0006] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, two of the blocking link are provided for one said arm, the blocking links being on opposite sides of the arm.

[0007] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, a distance between the second rotational axis and the first rotational axis is at least three times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis, when the first rotational axis, the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in the imaginary plane.

[0008] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, at least one abutment may contact the at least one arm and/or the at least one blocking link in the blocking configuration.

[0009] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the at least one abutment contacts the at least one blocking link.

[0010] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, a height of the at least one abutment is adjustable.

[0011] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, a distance between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis is at least four times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis.

[0012] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, further a release mechanism may contact the at least one arm and/or the at least one blocking link in the blocking configuration, the release mechanism actuatable to cause a movement of the locking system to the release configuration.

[0013] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the release mechanism has a cam adapted to be pivotally connected to the door.

[0014] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the cam operatively contacts the at least one arm to cause a movement of the locking system to the release configuration.

[0015] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, a rotational axis of the cam is parallel to the imaginary plane.

[0016] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the cam is part of a release link.

[0017] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the release link is connected to a main arm by a transmission link.

[0018] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the main arm adapted to be pivotally connected to the door at a fulcrum to provide a leveraging effect.

[0019] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, a rotational axis at the fulcrum is transverse to the rotational axis of the cam.

[0020] Still further in accordance with the aspect, for instance, the transmission link is operatively connected to the release link by a swivel joint.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bucket comprising a main body; a door pivotally connected to the main body;
and the locking system as described above. The locking system may be operated by a single cable pull.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an excavation bucket having a door locking system in accordance with the present disclosure, with a door closed;

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the excavation bucket of Fig. 1, with the door opened;

[0024] Fig. 3 is an elevation view, partly fragmented, of the excavation bucket of Fig. 1, with the door closed, in a blocking configuration;

[0025] Fig. 4 is an elevation view, partly fragmented, of the excavation bucket of Fig. 1, with the door opened;

[0026] Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation view of a blocking mechanism of the door locking system, in a release configuration;

[0027] Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of the door being pivoted open;

[0028] Fig. 7 is a trailing end view of the excavation bucket of Fig. 1, showing the locking mechanism;

[0029] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the door locking system, showing a cam portion of the locking mechanism ready to release the blocking mechanism;

[0030] Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the door locking system, showing the locking mechanism while the door is opened; and

[0031] Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the door locking system, showing the cam portion of the locking mechanism in a position for releasing the blocking mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a bucket such as used for excavation, for example as part of a cable shovel dipper of the type generally used on electric-cable shovels to scoop ore from the ground, and is an example of the numerous types of excavation equipment that may benefit from the configuration described hereinafter for a locking system for a door thereof. Other types of excavation equipment and like earth working buckets include electric rope shovels, hydraulic face shovels, hydraulic backhoe, loader, dragline, bucket-wheel excavator, etc. However, for simplicity, the present disclosure refers to the bucket 10, although it is understood that other excavation equipment may use the configuration described hereinafter.

[0033] As a general description, the bucket 10 has a main body 10A, generally tubular in shape, or hollow as another way to describe the body 10A, having a leading end for excavation, and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The leading end is open, and the trailing end may be open but has a door thereon that may be closed.
The bucket 10 defines an inner cavity 11 for receiving earth or like excavation products, with the lip 12 leading the excavating. The lip 12 is shown generically in Fig. 1, but may have numerous components, such as teeth, shrouds, C-clamps, wear plates, to name a few. Various connectors 13 are provided on a top surface of the bucket 10, to connect the bucket 10 to a handle, to a stick, to an arm, etc, of a cable shovel dipper, boom, crane or like equipment or vehicle. Any appropriate type of connector may be used, with pivot blocks being shown.

[0034] Pivot supports 14 may be adjacent to a trailing end of the bucket 10, and may for instance be pillow-block formations that may be integral to the bucket 10 or that may be releasably mounted thereon. The pivot supports 14 may be provided on both sides of the bucket 10, and are above a trailing opening 15 of the bucket 10, through which the load of earth in the inner cavity 11 of the bucket 10 may be unloaded. The pivot supports 14 are provided to pivotally support a door 20, which door 20 opens the trailing opening 15 (Fig. 2) and closes the trailing opening 15 (Fig. 1). The door 20 is closed during the excavating or digging, while the door 20 is selectively opened to unload the content of the bucket 10. Another set of pivot supports 14' may be more centrally located on the main body 10A of the bucket 10, and may be used for connection of a blocking mechanism to the main body 10A, as described below.

[0035] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the door 20 is shown as including a panel(s) 20A
that lays flat or complementarily against a periphery of the bucket 10, in the closed arrangement of Fig. 1. The panel 20A may be a single panel, a set of panel members, wear members, etc. Structural components, such as reinforcement members 20B, may be provided on the panel 20A, in the form of ribs or struts, to reinforce the panel 20A.
Arms 21 may be part of the structural components. The arms 21 may interface the door 20 to the pivot supports 14, with pivots 21A allowing the door 20 to pivot relative to a remainder of the bucket 10, between the closed position of Fig. 1 and the open position of Fig. 2. Additional components may be present, such as bearings, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot supports 14 are arranged in pairs for a single arm 21 per pair, with the pivots 21A extending from one of the pivot supports 14 to another, and with the arm 21 sandwiched between the pivot supports 14. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, there are four pivot supports 14 for two arms 21. Other arrangements are considered as well, for instance an integrated shaft instead of the pivot supports 14.
The door 20 may further include blocking pivot supports 23, and locking pivot supports 24A and 24B, for use with the door locking system.

[0036] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7, the locking system for the bucket 10 will now be described. The locking system may include a blocking mechanism 30, and a release mechanism 40. The blocking mechanism 30 is tasked with applying a blocking force against the content of the bucket and/or against a weight of the door 20 when the door 20 is biased to the open position by gravity. The blocking mechanism 30 may also be coupled to a force source to close the door 20, though the force source could also be connected to the arms 21. The bucket 10 may also rely on gravity to close the door 20.

[0037] The release mechanism 40 interacts with the blocking mechanism 30, to release the blocking mechanism 30 from a blocking configuration, in which the door 20 is closed and precluded from opening, to a release configuration, in which the door 20 may be opened by gravity and/or by the weight of the content in the bucket 10.

[0038] The blocking mechanism 30 has a main arm 31. The main arm 31 may be L-shaped, as shown, or may have other shapes as well (e.g., U-shape, Y-shape, V-shape). One end of the main arm 31 is pivotally connected to the main body 10A
of the bucket 10, by the pivot supports 23 (e.g., pillow block or the like). In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot supports 14' are arranged in pairs for the single arm 31, with a pivot JO extending from one of the pivot supports 14' to another, and with an end of the arm 31 positioned between the pivot supports 14' and rotatably coupled thereto by the pivot JO. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, there are two pivot supports 14' for one arm 31. Other arrangements are considered as well, for instance with alternatives to pillow block like formation instead of the pivot supports 14', a pair of arms 31, etc.

[0039] The blocking mechanism 30 may further include one or more blocking links 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking mechanism 30 has a pair of blocking links 32, both connected to the other end of the arm 31, along a common pivot J1. The blocking links 32 may be in a symmetrical arrangement relative to the arm 31, as shown in Fig. 7, with a plane of symmetry cutting the arm 31 and being perpendicular to a plane of the page of Fig. 7. As an alternative, there may be a single blocking link 32, for a single arm 31 or for a pair of arms 31.

[0040] The other ends of the blocking links 32 are pivotally connected to the door 20, by the pivot supports 23. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one pivot support 23 for each blocking link 32, with a pivot J2 extending from one of the pivot supports 23 to the corresponding blocking link 32. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, there are two pivot supports 23 for two blocking links 32. Other arrangements are considered as well, for instance with a pillow block like formation instead of the pivot supports 23, a pair of blocking links 32, four pivot supports 23 for two blocking links 32 etc.

[0041] Referring now concurrently to Figs. 3 and 5, a principle of operation of the blocking mechanism 30 is described. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the rotational axes of the joints JO, J1 and J2 are shown, with an imaginary junction line between the rotational axes of JO and J1 shown as L1, the imaginary junction line being projected onto a plane to which the vectors of the rotational axes of the joints JO, J1 and J2 are normal (a plane of the page of Figs. 3 and 5). An equivalent to the imaginary junction line can be an imaginary plane (a.k.a., imaginary junction plane), in which rotational axes JO and J1 lie, and to which rotational axis J2 is parallel. The imaginary junction plane is also illustrated by L1 in Figs. 3 and 5. Reference is made hereinbelow to the imaginary junction line L1 for simplicity, but the same principle applies to the imaginary junction plane. In Fig. 3, the blocking configuration of the blocking mechanism 30 is shown, while in Fig. 5, the release configuration of the blocking mechanism 30 is shown. It is observed that the position of the rotational axis J2 changes relative to L1 from Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. For reference purposed, a force vector F is shown, the force vector F being normal to a plane of the door 20, and passing through J2. The force vector F is indicative of the force applied against the door 20 by the excavation products accumulated in the bucket 10. Force vector Fl is a schematic representation that is used for explaining the operation of the blocking mechanism 30, and in reality the force vector Fl may differ from what is shown in the figures. In Fig. 3, J2 is separated from force vector F by L1, while in Fig. 5, J2 is between the force vector F and L1. The positioning of J2 relative to L1 has a direct impact on the action of the blocking mechanism 30 on the door 20. In the blocking configuration of Fig. 3, the force vector F
will urge the blocking links 32 to rotate about J2, in the direction R1, causing a blocking force Fl from the arm 31. Consequently, the greater the force vector F, the greater the blocking force Fl from the arm 31.

[0042] On the other hand, in the release configuration of Fig. 5, the blocking links 32 do not impose a blocking force, such that the force vector F will cause a release force F2 on the arm 31. As a consequence of the release force F2, the blocking links 32 will rotate about J2, but in the direction R2 contrary to R1 (Fig. 3). As a result, the door 20 may be pivoted open, as in Fig. 4, by gravity and/or by the weight of the door 20.

[0043] The arrangement of the blocking configuration of Fig. 3 is advantageous in that, as the periphery of the trailing opening 15 of the main body 10A and/or door 20 become worn, the distance between J2 relative to the line/plane L1 may increase, such that the blocking action may be enhanced through wear of the trailing opening and/or door 20.

[0044] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 8, abutments 33 may be present, to bound the position of J1 when the door is closed. The abutments 33 may be adjusted in length, for example, and will ensure that J2 is not too far spaced from line/plane L1 in the blocking configuration. This may facilitate the action of the release mechanism 40.
More particularly, if J2 is too far distanced from L1 in the blocking configuration of Fig. 3, an excessive force F2 may be required to return the blocking links 32 to the release configuration of Fig. 5. The abutments 33 block the movement of one or both of the blocking links 32 toward the blocking configuration. The abutments 33 may also be used to block the movement of the main arm 31 instead of, or in addition to, blocking the movement of the blocking links 32.

[0045] Referring now to Figs. 7-10, the release mechanism 40 is now described. The release mechanism 40 interacts with the blocking mechanism 30 to toggle the blocking mechanism 30 between the blocking configuration of Fig. 3 and the release configuration of Fig. 5. Practically speaking, the release mechanism 40 may actuate a displacement of J1 from the blocking configuration of Fig. 3 to the release configuration of Fig. 5, and relative to L1.

[0046] In an embodiment, the release mechanism 40 has a main arm 41, a transmission link 42 and a release link 43. The main arm 41 receives a force F10 to activate the release mechanism 40. The release link 43 selectively contacts the arm 31 to displace J1 from the blocking configuration of Fig. 5 to the release configuration of Fig. 3. The transmission link 42 interfaces the main arm 41 to the release link 43.

[0047] The main arm 41 is shown as being relatively longer than the links 42 and 43, so as to have a leveraging effect thereon. The main arm 41 is pivotally connected to the door 20 via the pivot support 24A. For compactness, it is observed that an axis of rotation of the joint J10, the fulcrum of main arm 41, between the pivot support 24A and the main arm 41 is transverse to axes of rotation JO, J1 and J2. It is nonetheless considered to have other arrangements, as well, including having J10 parallel to JO, J1 and J2. The main arm 41 receives the force F10 where shown, from a force source, including for example a pulling cable, a rod, etc. In an embodiment in which the force F10 is unidirectional, a biasing member may be present to bias the main arm 41 to the opposite direction.

[0048] The main arm 41 is coupled to the transmission link 42 at J11. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between F10 and fulcrum J10 is greater than the distance between fulcrum J10 and J11, for the leveraging action. In an embodiment, the distance between F10 and J10 is at least twice the distance between J10 and J11.
J10 and J11 may have parallel axes of rotation as shown. The joint at J11 may be a swivel joint, allowing two or more rotational degrees of freedom.

[0049] The transmission link 42 is coupled to the release link 43 at J12.
The body of the release link 43 may be arranged for J12 to be transverse to J11. In an embodiment, the release link 43 is similar to a bicycle chain link, though with the change of orientation from one pivot to another, i.e., from J11, to J12. Of course, if J10 were parallel to axes of rotation JO, J1 and J2, then J11 and J12 could be parallel as well.
The joint at J12 may be a swivel joint, allowing two or more rotational degrees of freedom. The presence of swivel joints at the ends of the transmission link 42 allows the release mechanism 40 to avoid force constraints in the change of orientations of rotation. Alternatives to swivel joints include universal joints, and spherical joints, as an example.

[0050] The release link 43 is pivotally connected to the door 20, via the pivot supports 24B. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot supports 24B are arranged paired for the release link 43, with pivot J13 extending from one of the pivot supports 24B to another, and with the release link 43 sandwiched between the pivot supports 24B. Other arrangements are considered as well, for instance with a pillow block like formation instead of the pivot supports 24B, a pair of release links 43, etc.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment of the release mechanism 40, there is no main arm 41, and no transmission link 42. Instead, the force is applied directly to the release link 43, or to an equivalent detent or piston, in another way. For example, a cable and housing assembly, or cable and pulley assembly, may be used to route a cable to the release link 43, to exert a pulling action on the release link 43, such as at J12. As another possibility, a piston, cylinder or linear actuator is present is actuated (e.g., pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically) to impart a push on the main arm 31. Other arrangements are considered as well.

[0052] Accordingly, because of its connection to the door 20, the release link 43 has its joint J12 rotate relative to joint J13 with the door 20. As best shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the release link 43 has a cam portion 43A, configured to come into contact with the arm 31, though it could come into contact with one or both of the blocking link(s) 32 instead or in addition to the arm 31. In Figs. 9 and 10, the cam portion 43A
is shown as being retracted. In Fig. 8, with the arm 31 in the blocking configuration, the cam portion 43A is in contact with a periphery of the arm 31. When force F10 is applied on the release mechanism 40, a reaction force F11 results at J11. As a consequence, the release link 43 pivots about J13, whereby the cam portion 43A applies force F13 on the arm 31 (Fig. 8). This causes a displacement of J1, such that J2 crosses the line/plane L1, from the blocking configuration of Fig. 3 to the release configuration of Fig. 5. The door 20 is therefore freed from the blocking configuration and may thus open.
In an embodiment, the action of the main arm 31 may then close the door 20 and return the locking system to the blocking configuration. Gravity may assist or may force the movement of the main arm 31 to the blocking configuration.

[0053] The locking system may thus include the blocking mechanism 30 and the release mechanism 40. In an embodiment, the locking system includes one or the other of the blocking mechanism 30 and the release mechanism 40. For instance, the blocking mechanism 30 may be used alone.

[0054] As detailed above, as an alternative to the assembly of linkages shown for the release mechanism 40, an actuator with a pin may be used to exert force F13 on the main arm 31. For example, the actuator may be a linear actuator or a hydraulic or pneumatic piston. The assembly of linkages of the release mechanism 40 may be advantageously used without bringing electric power or oil/air pressure to the door 20, using instead the force of a cable. Likewise, the blocking mechanism 30 may be operated by cable only, or may not need to be actuated to move to the blocking configuration. For example, gravity may suffice in moving the blocking mechanism 30 into the blocking configuration, and a load in the bucket 10 will apply a force on the door 20, contributing to the blocking configuration. In some embodiments, the blocking mechanism 30 and the release mechanism 40 may be said to be cable actuated, and may be said to be operated solely by a single pulling action to cause the release of the blocking mechanism 30 from the blocking configuration.

[0055] The blocking mechanism 30 may thus be said to one or more arms, such as 31, configured to be pivotally connected to the main body of the bucket to rotate about a first rotational axis (e.g., JO), one or more blocking links, such as 32, configured to be pivotally connected to the door at a second rotational axis (e.g., J2), the arm(s) 31 and the blocking link(s) 32 pivotally connected to one another at a third rotational axis (e.g., J1). In the blocking mechanism 30, the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in an imaginary plane, such as L. The second rotational axis is located on one side of the imaginary plane in a blocking configuration, and on the other side of the imaginary plane in a release configuration. It may be said that a projection of the second rotational axis on the imaginary plane in the blocking configuration is between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis. The third rotational axis may be at a variable distance from the door, while the second rotational axis is in a fixed position relative to the door and the first rotational axis is in a fixed position relative to the bucket. In the blocking configuration, the second rotational axis is between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis. In an embodiment, in the block configuration, a shortest distance between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis is greater than a shortest distance between the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis and than a shortest distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis. In the blocking configuration the imaginary plane may be between the door and the second rotational axis, along a direction where a shortest distance between a plane of the door and the second rotational axis. In order to enhance a leveraging effect, a distance between the second rotational axis and the first rotational axis is at least three times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis, when the first rotational axis, the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in the imaginary plane, e.g., at the moment the second rotational axis crosses the imaginary plane when moving from blocking configuration to release configuration, or when moving from the release configuration to the blocking configuration. Likewise, still to enhance a leveraging effect, a distance between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis is at least four times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis. The imaginary plane may be said to extend from and be delimited by the first rotational axis to the third rotational axis.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS:

1. A locking system for a bucket of the type having a main body and a door pivotally connected to the main body, the locking system comprising:
at least one arm adapted to be pivotally connected to the main body of the bucket to rotate about a first rotational axis, and at least one blocking link adapted to be pivotally connected to the door at a second rotational axis, the at least one arm and the at least one blocking link pivotally connected to one another at a third rotational axis, wherein the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in an imaginary plane extending from the first rotational axis to the third rotational axis, and wherein the second rotational axis is located on one side of the imaginary plane in a blocking configuration, and on the other side of the imaginary plane in a release configuration.

2. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one arm is L
shaped.

3. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, including two of the blocking link for one said arm, the blocking links being on opposite sides of the arm.

4. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a distance between the second rotational axis and the first rotational axis is at least three times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis, when the first rotational axis, the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis lie in the imaginary plane.

5. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including at least one abutment contacting the at least one arm and/or the at least one blocking link in the blocking configuration.

6. The locking system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one abutment contacts the at least one blocking link.

7. The locking system according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein a height of the at least one abutment is adjustable.

8. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a distance between the first rotational axis and the third rotational axis is at least four times greater than a distance between the second rotational axis and the third rotational axis.

9. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further including a release mechanism contacting the at least one arm and/or the at least one blocking link in the blocking configuration, the release mechanism actuatable to cause a movement of the locking system to the release configuration.

10. The locking system according to claim 9, wherein the release mechanism has a cam adapted to be pivotally connected to the door.

11. The locking system according to claim 10, wherein the cam operatively contacts the at least one arm to cause a movement of the locking system to the release configuration.

12. The locking system according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein a rotational axis of the cam is parallel to the imaginary plane.

13. The locking system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cam is part of a release link.

14. The locking system according to claim 13, wherein the release link is connected to a main arm by a transmission link.

15. The locking system according to claim 14, wherein the main arm adapted to be pivotally connected to the door at a fulcrum to provide a leveraging effect.

16. The locking system according to claim 15, wherein a rotational axis at the fulcrum is transverse to the rotational axis of the cam.

17. The locking system according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the transmission link is operatively connected to the release link by a swivel joint.

18. A bucket comprising a main body;

a door pivotally connected to the main body; and the locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The bucket according to claim 18, wherein the locking system is operated with a single cable pull.