GB2620555A

GB2620555A - Tip bucket assembly for handling and distributing particulate material

Info

Publication number: GB2620555A
Application number: GB2209818.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Furlong John; Furlong Patrick
Original assignee: Jj Mac Ltd
Current assignee: Jj Mac Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-04
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2024-01-17
Also published as: GB202209818D0

Abstract

A tip bucket assembly comprising a central section 12 bordered along each of its side edges by an outer section 10. The outer section is co-extensive with and selectively moveable towards and away from the central section to vary the overall width of the tip bucket assembly. Preferably, the outer section includes a side edge which define the floor, rear, side and upper surface of the tip bucket. Preferably, the central section comprises two superimposed elongate plate members 14, 16, separated by spacing members (32, Fig 6) to define a continuous access slot along the entire length of the central section into which the neighbouring edge of the side sections can be located. Preferably, movement of the outer section is achieved by hydraulic or pneumatic drive members located on the rear face of the central section.

Description

Tip Bucket Assembly for Handling and Distributing Particulate Material

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus for handling and distributing particulate material. More especially, the invention relates to a tip bucket assembly for vehicles employed inter she to move and spread loose material such as earth and 10 demolition waste.

Background to the invention

Vehicles including material handling apparatus such as tip buckets are well known particularly in the construction industry for moving and spreading loose materials such as earth and demolition waste. Because of their size and the presence of cumbersome tip buckets, these vehicles are generally not suited for gaining access to and working in confined areas where space is limited. Such a vehicle is disclosed in our UK Patent 25725323.

The present invention sets out to provide a tip bucket assembly whose width can selectively be reduced to enable vehicle access to previously inaccessible confined areas and then increased as and when required.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a tip bucket assembly which comprises a central section bordered along each of its side edges by an outer section which is co-extensive with and selectively moveable towards and away from the central section to vary the overall width of the tip bucket assembly. tIr

The central section of the tip bucket is substantially coextensive with the side sections and comprises two equally dimensioned superimposed elongate plate members separated by spacing members upstanding from one or each plate member to define a continuous access slot along the entire length of each side edge of the central section into which the neighbouring edge of the respective side section can locate.

Preferably, the superimposed elongate plate members are separated by an array of spaced stud members upstanding from the surface of one or each of the two elongate plate members.

Preferably, movement of said one or each side section relative to said central section is achieved selectively by hydraulically or pneumatically operated drive members located on the rear face of the central section of the tip bucket.

In a preferred arrangement each drive member comprises a piston 25 moveable selectively within a cylinder towards and away from the outer sections.

In a preferred arrangement, three drive members are secured to the outer surface of each side section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a tip bucket in accordance with the invention in its fully extended position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear of the tip bucket illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the tip bucket 10 illustrated in Figure 1 in its fully contracted position; Figure 4 is an isometric view of one of two side members of the illustrated tip bucket; and Figures 5 and 6 are respectively perspective views of upper and lower elongate members which together define the central section 15 of the illustrated tip bucket.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The illustrated tip bucket is of variable width and comprises two outer sections 10 and a central section 12 which is bordered on each of its sides by one of the two outer sections 10. The central section comprises two superimposed elongate members 14, 16 (see especially Figures 1, 5 and 6) which are spaced apart to define along each elongate side a continuous opening 18 (see Figure 1) into which a side edge of the respective neighbouring outer section 10 extends.

The outer sections 10 are mirror images of one another.

As will be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the superimposed elongate members 14, 16 of the central section 12 are each produced from a plurality of steel plates 22 which are welded together to form the curvilinear configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Similarly, as will be seen from Figure 4, each side section 10 comprises a side plate 28 bordered along it's inner face by a plurality of inwardly projecting plates 26 which are welded together to form the required generally curvilinear configuration.

In combination, the welded plates 22 and 26 of the inner and 10 outer sections define the floor, rear and upper walls of the tip bucket.

The individual plates are preferably produced from steel but can be produced from other materials having similar properties to steel.

As will be seen from Figure 4 of the drawings, each outer tip bucket section 10 comprises an upstanding side wall 28 bordered by the respective inwardly extending side member 26. Each side member 26 is castellated along its side remote from the side wall 28. Spacing members 30 are upstanding from the upper surface of each side member 26.

The lower elongate member 16 illustrated in Figure 6 includes a plurality of centrally disposed spaced apart raised support members 32 each of which includes a pair of threaded openings for receiving the threaded bolts 40.

In addition, the member 16 includes along each of its sides a plurality of sideways extending slots 36 into which, on assembly of the side members 26, the spacing members 30 of the respective side member 10 project.

As shown in Figure 5, the upper elongate member 22 includes a 30 plurality of through-holes 38 positioned to correspond with the

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positions of the threaded openings of the support members 32 to enable the members 30, 32 to be connected by the threaded bolts 40 to form the central section 12 of the tip bucket.

Thus, as shown in Figure 1, when the tip bucket is assembled, 5 the sides 14, 16 of the central section 12 are spaced apart by the support members 32 to define the openings 18 into which the side edges 26 of the outer sections 10 extend.

As illustrated in Figure 3, welded to the upper outer surface of the inner section 12 are upstanding flanges 42 formed with openings through which project cylindrical sleeves 44 for receiving conventional lifting arms (not shown) of a motorised vehicle or vehicle trailer operable to manoeuvrer the tip bucket on site.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the rear face 46 of each outer 15 section 10 supports a plurality of generally horizontal hydraulically operated piston cylinders 48 which together operate to move the outer sections 10 either singly or together to widen or reduce the width of the tip bucket. For this purpose, the cylinders 48 are connected via hoses 50, 52 to a 20 source of pressurised hydraulic fluid.

A manually operated control valve mechanism 54 operated by an external lever 56 is provided on the rear face of the central section of the tip bucket to operate the cylinders to increase or reduce the width of the tip bucket as and when required.

In an alternative arrangement, the cylinders are pneumatically operated.

As shown, three cylinders are provided to move each side section relative to the central section 12. More or fewer cylinders may be provided for this purpose. Furthermore, other means other than hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders could readily be employed for this purpose.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of tip bucket assemblies in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made without departing from the true scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1.A tip bucket assembly which comprises a central section bordered along each of its sides by an outer section which is co-extensive with and selectively moveable towards and away from the central section to vary the overall width of the tip bucket.
2.A tip bucket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each outer section includes along its side edge remote from the central section an upstanding outer wall and an inner wall which lies generally normal to and along the border of the upstanding outer wall, the two side sections defining together the central section of the floor.
3.A tip bucket assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the central section of the tip bucket is substantially co-extensive with the side sections and comprises two equally dimensioned superimposed elongate plate members separated by spacing members upstanding from one or each plate member to define a continuous access slot along the entire length of each side edge of the central section into which the respective neighbouring edge of the respective side section can locate.
4.A tip bucket assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the superimposed elongate plate members are separated by an array of spaced stud members upstanding from the surface of one or each of the two elongate plate members.
5.A tip bucket assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein movement of said one or each side section relative to said central section is achieved selectively by hydraulically or pneumatically operated drive members located on the rear face of the central section of the tip bucket.