EP4299836A1 - Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate - Google Patents
Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4299836A1 EP4299836A1 EP22182534.2A EP22182534A EP4299836A1 EP 4299836 A1 EP4299836 A1 EP 4299836A1 EP 22182534 A EP22182534 A EP 22182534A EP 4299836 A1 EP4299836 A1 EP 4299836A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- stopper plate
- bucket
- bucket stopper
- lift arm
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/38—Cantilever beams, i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms; Dipper-arms, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms; Bucket-arms
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/40—Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets
- E02F3/401—Buckets or forks comprising, for example, shock absorbers, supports or load striking scrapers to prevent overload
Definitions
- the present invention relates to bucket stoppers plates.
- Many underground loaders and loading devices which are used for lifting heavy material, such as rocks, comprise a bucket, which is used for lifting and transferring material from one place to another, e.g. into a truck, dump truck or some pile of material.
- the bucket is fastened to a lift arm or lift arms so that the bucket may reach to desired location.
- the bucket is a heavy component, especially when loaded, and for example in transfer position it is always tilted against the lift arm. Therefore, the lift arm is subjected to great forces caused by the impacts from the bucket as well as tensile load caused by the heavy loads. It may eventually break and then it must be replaced or repaired before continuing operation.
- bucket stopper plates which are fastened to the lift arm so that the bucket stopper plate, or the bucket stopper if such is fastened to the plate, limits the movement of the bucket and receives the impact from the bucket.
- the location of the bucket stopper plates is very sensitive, and welding and manufacturing defects have caused plenty of cracks in the lift arms.
- Each fastening point e.g. weld
- transverse welds and end points of longitudinal welds are critical and prone to break or cause damage to the lift arm.
- limiting the movement of the bucket with the bucket stopper plates protects bucket moving elements, such as hydraulic cylinders.
- the objective of the device is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.
- the present invention provides a bucket stopper plate for an underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate is configured to be fastened to a lift arm of the underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate comprises a top surface, at least two sections, an end section and a central section arranged sequentially in the same plane, and the end section comprises an opening.
- the bucket stopper plate fastened to a lift arm causes stiffened area to the lift arm and the areas where the stiffness changes, i.e. at the stopper plate ends, are subjected to great tensions.
- the advantage of the present device is that it has more flexible structure and the difference of stiffness is smaller at the stopper plate end. Solution is also cheaper and has better fatigue resistance comparing to the known solutions.
- the end section comprises a curved edge at the opposite end to the central section.
- the advantage of the embodiment is that the stopper plate may be welded all around without need of any transverse welds, which would be perpendicular to the tensile stress.
- the curved edge has a shape of circular arc having radius R from axis perpendicular to the top surface.
- the curved edge has a shape of semicircle.
- the opening has a shape of a semicircle.
- corners of the semicircular opening are rounded.
- the central section comprises threaded holes for fastening auxiliary components to the bucket stopper plate.
- the bucket stopper plate is a solid plate.
- the bucket stopper plate is formed of two parts each having an end section and a central section, so that the two parts are arranged sequentially in the same plane and the central sections are between the end sections.
- the present invention provides lift arm of an underground loader, wherein the lift arm comprises at least one bucket stopper plate according to any one of previous embodiments.
- the bucket stopper plate is welded to the lift arm.
- the weld continues completely around the perimeter of the bucket stopper plate.
- Bucket stopper plate is a component which is fastened to a lift arm of an underground loader etc. for limiting the movement of the bucket and for protecting the lift arm from impacts caused by the bucket when it is tilted backwards against the lift arm. Further, some dampening component, e.g. a rubber block, is be fastened between the bucket and the bucket stopper plate, e.g. to the bucket stopper plate or to the bucket, for dampening the impacts.
- dampening component e.g. a rubber block
- FIG. 1 shows a bucket stopper plate 1, which is formed of two similar parts, and which are fastened to each other.
- the parts may have different shapes, i.e. they are not similar.
- Each part comprises an end section 3 and a central section 4, which are sequentially in the same plane, i.e forming a platelike structure.
- the end section 3 and the central section 4 are same solid component, but optionally they may be separate components fastened to each other.
- the bucket stopper plate comprises a top surface 2, which is facing outwards when the bucket stopper plate is fastened to the lift arm.
- the end section 3 comprises an opening 5 for providing more flexible structure reducing stress and giving higher life prediction to the plate and especially to the fastening points of the plate, e.g. welds, and to the lift arm to which the plate is fastened. Because of the opening 5 at the end section, the difference of stiffness is not that high at the bucket stopper plate end.
- the end section comprises a curved edge 6 which forms the end of the bucket stopper plate 1.
- the curved edge 6 is at the opposite end to the central section 4.
- the opening is between the curved edge 6 and the central section 4.
- the curved edge 6 may have a shape of a circular arc, i.e. curved line having radius R form axis perpendicular to the top surface 2.
- the curved edge 6 may have a shape of semicircle, i.e. the curved section of the perimeter of the semicircle.
- the rounding may be uneven, e.g. the rounding R is smaller at the end of the curved edge and greater at the center of the curved edge.
- the wall thickness between the opening 5 and the curved edge 6 may be for example 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20 mm.
- the wall thickness between the opening 5 and the curved edge 6 may be 5 to 10 mm, 5 to 15 mm, 5 to 20 mm, 7 to 12 mm, 7 to 15 mm, 7 to 20 mm, 10 to 15 mm or 10 to 20 mm.
- the opening 5 may have different shapes.
- the opening may have a shape of a semicircle, i.e. having a linear section and a curved section, e.g. arc.
- the linear section is on the side, which is towards the central section 4, and the curved section is towards the curved edge 6.
- the curved section shape may correspond the shape of the curved edge but having a smaller diameter, i.e. the curved section and the curved edge are part of coaxial circles. Corners 7 of the semicircular opening, i.e. sections connecting the linear section and the curved sections, may be rounded. The rounding may be for example 10, 15, 20 or 25 mm.
- the bucket stopper plate 1 may comprise threaded holes 8, which are arranged on the top surface 2.
- the threaded holes may be used for fastening auxiliary components to the bucket stopper plate.
- the auxiliary component may be for example a rubber block, fender or other dampening element for receiving the impacts from the bucket.
- the bucket stopper plate may comprise two parts, which may be similar, fastened to each other.
- Each part has end section 3 and a central section 4, and the parts are fastened together sequentially so that the central sections are between the end sections in the same plane.
- Figure 2 shows same kind of a bucket stopper plate as figure 1 , but instead of two separate parts, the whole plate is formed of one solid plate having two end sections and central section(s) between the end sections.
- FIG 3 shows lifting means of an underground loader comprising two parallel lifting arms 11, which may be fastened to each other.
- Each lifting arm comprises one bucket stopper plate 1 fastened on a top surface for receiving impacts of a bucket when it is tilted backwards towards the lifting arms.
- the bucket stopper plate is made of one solid plate having two end sections and central section(s) between the end sections.
- the bucket stopper plate may be made of two parts, each having a central section and end section, which two parts are connected to each other so that the central sections are between the end sections (as explained above).
- the bucket stopper plate 1 is fastened to the lift arm by welding. The weld may continue completely around the perimeter of the bucket stopper plate 1.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Shovels (AREA)
Abstract
A bucket stopper plate (1) for an underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate is configured to be fastened to a lift arm of the underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate (1) comprises a top surface (2), at least two sections, an end section (3) and a central section (4) arranged sequentially in the same plane, and the end section (3) comprises an opening (5).
Description
- The present invention relates to bucket stoppers plates.
- Many underground loaders and loading devices which are used for lifting heavy material, such as rocks, comprise a bucket, which is used for lifting and transferring material from one place to another, e.g. into a truck, dump truck or some pile of material. The bucket is fastened to a lift arm or lift arms so that the bucket may reach to desired location. The bucket is a heavy component, especially when loaded, and for example in transfer position it is always tilted against the lift arm. Therefore, the lift arm is subjected to great forces caused by the impacts from the bucket as well as tensile load caused by the heavy loads. It may eventually break and then it must be replaced or repaired before continuing operation.
- To protect the lift arm, it is known to use bucket stopper plates which are fastened to the lift arm so that the bucket stopper plate, or the bucket stopper if such is fastened to the plate, limits the movement of the bucket and receives the impact from the bucket. However, the location of the bucket stopper plates is very sensitive, and welding and manufacturing defects have caused plenty of cracks in the lift arms. For example, when the bucket is loaded, the top surface of the lifting arm, to which the bucket stopper plate is fastened, is subjected to great tensile load. Each fastening point, e.g. weld, causes discontinuity to the stress field, which may damage the lift arm. Especially, transverse welds and end points of longitudinal welds are critical and prone to break or cause damage to the lift arm. Further, limiting the movement of the bucket with the bucket stopper plates protects bucket moving elements, such as hydraulic cylinders.
- The objective of the device is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.
- In particular, it is an objective of the present device to provide a bucket stopper plate having a higher life prediction.
- According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a bucket stopper plate for an underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate is configured to be fastened to a lift arm of the underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate comprises a top surface, at least two sections, an end section and a central section arranged sequentially in the same plane, and the end section comprises an opening.
- The bucket stopper plate fastened to a lift arm causes stiffened area to the lift arm and the areas where the stiffness changes, i.e. at the stopper plate ends, are subjected to great tensions. The advantage of the present device is that it has more flexible structure and the difference of stiffness is smaller at the stopper plate end. Solution is also cheaper and has better fatigue resistance comparing to the known solutions.
- In an embodiment, the end section comprises a curved edge at the opposite end to the central section.
- The advantage of the embodiment is that the stopper plate may be welded all around without need of any transverse welds, which would be perpendicular to the tensile stress.
- In an embodiment, the curved edge has a shape of circular arc having radius R from axis perpendicular to the top surface.
- In an embodiment, the curved edge has a shape of semicircle.
- In an embodiment, the opening has a shape of a semicircle.
- In an embodiment, corners of the semicircular opening are rounded.
- In an embodiment, the central section comprises threaded holes for fastening auxiliary components to the bucket stopper plate.
- In an embodiment, the bucket stopper plate is a solid plate.
- In an embodiment, comprising two end sections arranged on opposite sides of the central section.
- In an embodiment, the bucket stopper plate is formed of two parts each having an end section and a central section, so that the two parts are arranged sequentially in the same plane and the central sections are between the end sections.
- According to a second aspect, the present invention provides lift arm of an underground loader, wherein the lift arm comprises at least one bucket stopper plate according to any one of previous embodiments.
- In an embodiment, the bucket stopper plate is welded to the lift arm.
- In an embodiment, the weld continues completely around the perimeter of the bucket stopper plate.
- It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
-
Fig. 1 shows abucket stopper plate 1, which is formed of two similar parts, and which are fastened to each other, -
Fig. 2 shows same kind of a bucket stopper plate asfigure 1 , but is made of two separate parts, and -
Fig. 3 shows a lifting element of an underground loader comprising two lift arms each having a bucket stopper plate. - Bucket stopper plate is a component which is fastened to a lift arm of an underground loader etc. for limiting the movement of the bucket and for protecting the lift arm from impacts caused by the bucket when it is tilted backwards against the lift arm. Further, some dampening component, e.g. a rubber block, is be fastened between the bucket and the bucket stopper plate, e.g. to the bucket stopper plate or to the bucket, for dampening the impacts.
-
Figure 1 shows abucket stopper plate 1, which is formed of two similar parts, and which are fastened to each other. Optionally, the parts may have different shapes, i.e. they are not similar. Each part comprises anend section 3 and acentral section 4, which are sequentially in the same plane, i.e forming a platelike structure. Theend section 3 and thecentral section 4 are same solid component, but optionally they may be separate components fastened to each other. The bucket stopper plate comprises atop surface 2, which is facing outwards when the bucket stopper plate is fastened to the lift arm. Theend section 3 comprises anopening 5 for providing more flexible structure reducing stress and giving higher life prediction to the plate and especially to the fastening points of the plate, e.g. welds, and to the lift arm to which the plate is fastened. Because of theopening 5 at the end section, the difference of stiffness is not that high at the bucket stopper plate end. - The end section comprises a
curved edge 6 which forms the end of thebucket stopper plate 1. Thecurved edge 6 is at the opposite end to thecentral section 4. The opening is between thecurved edge 6 and thecentral section 4. Thecurved edge 6 may have a shape of a circular arc, i.e. curved line having radius R form axis perpendicular to thetop surface 2. Thecurved edge 6 may have a shape of semicircle, i.e. the curved section of the perimeter of the semicircle. Optionally, the rounding may be uneven, e.g. the rounding R is smaller at the end of the curved edge and greater at the center of the curved edge. The wall thickness between theopening 5 and thecurved edge 6 may be for example 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20 mm. Optionally, the wall thickness between theopening 5 and thecurved edge 6 may be 5 to 10 mm, 5 to 15 mm, 5 to 20 mm, 7 to 12 mm, 7 to 15 mm, 7 to 20 mm, 10 to 15 mm or 10 to 20 mm. - The opening 5 may have different shapes. The opening may have a shape of a semicircle, i.e. having a linear section and a curved section, e.g. arc. The linear section is on the side, which is towards the
central section 4, and the curved section is towards thecurved edge 6. The curved section shape may correspond the shape of the curved edge but having a smaller diameter, i.e. the curved section and the curved edge are part of coaxial circles.Corners 7 of the semicircular opening, i.e. sections connecting the linear section and the curved sections, may be rounded. The rounding may be for example 10, 15, 20 or 25 mm. - The
bucket stopper plate 1 may comprise threadedholes 8, which are arranged on thetop surface 2. The threaded holes may be used for fastening auxiliary components to the bucket stopper plate. The auxiliary component may be for example a rubber block, fender or other dampening element for receiving the impacts from the bucket. - As seen in
figure 1 , the bucket stopper plate may comprise two parts, which may be similar, fastened to each other. Each part hasend section 3 and acentral section 4, and the parts are fastened together sequentially so that the central sections are between the end sections in the same plane. -
Figure 2 shows same kind of a bucket stopper plate asfigure 1 , but instead of two separate parts, the whole plate is formed of one solid plate having two end sections and central section(s) between the end sections. -
Figure 3 shows lifting means of an underground loader comprising twoparallel lifting arms 11, which may be fastened to each other. Each lifting arm comprises onebucket stopper plate 1 fastened on a top surface for receiving impacts of a bucket when it is tilted backwards towards the lifting arms. Infigure 3 , the bucket stopper plate is made of one solid plate having two end sections and central section(s) between the end sections. However, the bucket stopper plate may be made of two parts, each having a central section and end section, which two parts are connected to each other so that the central sections are between the end sections (as explained above). Thebucket stopper plate 1 is fastened to the lift arm by welding. The weld may continue completely around the perimeter of thebucket stopper plate 1. - Although the invention has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.
Claims (13)
- A bucket stopper plate (1) for an underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate is configured to be fastened to a lift arm of the underground loader, wherein the bucket stopper plate (1) comprises- a top surface (2),- at least two sections, an end section (3) and a central section (4) arranged sequentially in the same plane,
charcterizedin that
the end section (3) comprises an opening (5). - The bucket stopper plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end section (3) comprises a curved edge (6) at the opposite end to the central section (4).
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to claim 2, wherein the curved edge (6) has a shape of circular arc having radius R from axis perpendicular to the top surface (2).
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to claim 2, wherein the curved edge (6) has a shape of semicircle.
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening (5) has a shape of a semicircle.
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to claim 5, wherein corners (7) of the semicircular opening (5) are rounded.
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the central section (4) comprises threaded holes (8) for fastening auxiliary components to the bucket stopper plate.
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bucket stopper plate is a solid plate.
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two end sections (3) arranged on opposite sides of the central section (4).
- The bucket stopper plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bucket stopper plate is formed of two parts each having an end section (3) and a central section (4), so that the two parts are arranged sequentially in the same plane and the central sections are between the end sections.
- A lift arm (11) of an underground loader, wherein the lift arm comprises at least one bucket stopper plate (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10.
- The lift arm according to claim 11, wherein the bucket stopper plate (1) is welded to the lift arm (11) .
- The lift arm according to claim 12, wherein the weld (9) continues completely around the perimeter of the bucket stopper plate (1).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP22182534.2A EP4299836A1 (en) | 2022-07-01 | 2022-07-01 | Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP22182534.2A EP4299836A1 (en) | 2022-07-01 | 2022-07-01 | Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4299836A1 true EP4299836A1 (en) | 2024-01-03 |
Family
ID=82492288
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP22182534.2A Pending EP4299836A1 (en) | 2022-07-01 | 2022-07-01 | Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4299836A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5993139A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-11-30 | Caterpillar Inc. | Box boom lift arm assembly |
JP5014875B2 (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2012-08-29 | 株式会社小松製作所 | Work equipment boom |
-
2022
- 2022-07-01 EP EP22182534.2A patent/EP4299836A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5993139A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-11-30 | Caterpillar Inc. | Box boom lift arm assembly |
JP5014875B2 (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2012-08-29 | 株式会社小松製作所 | Work equipment boom |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4523397A (en) | High strength bucket | |
EP0993527B1 (en) | Box boom loader mechanism | |
US6565146B2 (en) | Dump body for an off-highway rubber-tired haulage vehicle | |
US20150375978A1 (en) | Fork assembly for lifting machines with interlocking tines | |
EP4299836A1 (en) | Bucket stopper plate and lift arm comprising bucket stopper plate | |
US20030118432A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for reinforcing a load bearing member | |
US20180029851A1 (en) | Linkage assembly for machine | |
US20190085533A1 (en) | Baggerausleger und bagger | |
KR101786078B1 (en) | Arm center boss controlling generation of fatigue crack | |
EP3792199A1 (en) | Tank-type container and end frame structure thereof | |
US5993138A (en) | Tilt linkage arrangement | |
US11208022B2 (en) | Safety assembly for off-highway truck | |
US11285899B2 (en) | Guard assembly | |
US4382744A (en) | Loader bellcrank mounting means | |
US9334624B2 (en) | Articulated work machine | |
CN220908499U (en) | Excavator arm body and excavator | |
KR20100074394A (en) | Steering column assembly structure | |
JP2006214111A (en) | Working machine | |
US20220282447A1 (en) | Material handler skip pan | |
JP7432646B2 (en) | Tank and tank structure and manufacturing method thereof | |
JP7281909B2 (en) | Loading table lifting device | |
CN213358719U (en) | Staggered grabbing mechanism and hydraulic excavator | |
EP4091876A1 (en) | Subframe for box floor of dump truck and box of dump truck | |
JP2015155250A (en) | dump truck | |
KR101845956B1 (en) | Carrying and storing tray for metal plate |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |