US2689418A

US2689418A - Excavating bucket construction

Info

Publication number: US2689418A
Application number: US691829A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lesher W Van Buskirk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-08-20
Filing date: 1946-08-20
Publication date: 1954-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 1971-09-21

Description

P 21, 1954 L. w. VAN BUSKIRK EXCAVATING BUCKET CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 20, 1946 JMVZIZIiEVTOR.

Sept. 21, 1954 Filed Aug. 20, 1946 L. W. VAN BUSKIRK EXCAVATING BUCKET CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hal Patented Sept. 21, 1954 OFFICE EXCAVATING BUCKET CONSTRUCTION Lesher W. Van Buskirk, Easton, Pa. Application'August 20, 1946, Serial No. 691,829

3 Claims. i 1

My invention relates to improvements in excavating buckets, with particular reference to the so-called dragline type although in no ways restricted thereto.

It is a well known fact that the front or digging end of a drag bucket or the like is the most importantpart of the structure because it is subjected to extreme stress and strain in addition to being subjected to much more severe wear than other parts of the bucket. It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the invention to provide a reinforcing front or digging lip for a drag bucket or the like which will be effective for transferring the pulling force throughoutthe entire front end of the bucket to the digging teeth, without, however, adding excessive weight to the bucket. Such a casting assures of long wear and eliminates fear of failure due to fatigue of the metal at the front ofthe bucket due to bending between the arch connection and the cutting edge.

The invention also contemplates a digging front or lip for a drag bucket or the like which is adapted to relieve strain from the associated arch caused by tendency of the front of the bucket to close due to the pulling stress of the drag lines which are attached to the hitches at either side of the bucket front.

Still another object of the invention is to furnish in a device of the character set forth a novel mounting or connection of an arch with the bucket front, which latter is preferably provided by a unitary reinforcing casting which provides tooth seats and the digging lip. The arrangement set forth overcomes difficulty heretofore experienced in the art in respect to the tendency of the arch to separate from the side walls of the bucket orproduce cracks at such points due to the force component of the pulling chains or the like attached to the hitches at the side of the bucket, and the cables or equivalent which are attached to the arch for lifting and other purposes.

What specifically the invention contemplates, is a digging front or lip for a drag bucket or the like, which lip takes the form of a casting and provides whatmay be termed pockets at each side adjacent the top to receive the lower ends of the arch element so as to effectually seat and sustain the same against stresses in all directions.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts, all of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled inythe art upon reference to the accom-,

panying drawings illustrating a now preferred example of my inventive concept. It is to be understood, however, that the illustrated disclosure of the invention is susceptible of many changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts in all views,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating, in fragmentary form, a drag bucket incorporating my invention;

Fig. ,2 is a front elevational view of the bucket;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bucket disclosing the novel casting and arch structure at the front thereof; 1

Fig.4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, illustrating the arch seating pocket at one side of the front or lip casting, with the end of the arch seated therein;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of one side of the front or lip casting and illustrating the arch end receiving pocket;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating a portion of the front or lip casting, the arch receiving pocket, and the lower end of one side of the arch seated therein, the last mentioned portions being illustrated in dotted lines.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts throughout the several views, numeral 6 designates generally a conventional type of drag bucket, while reference character 1 indicates removable digging teeth 9.

generally a casting providing the front or digging lip of the structure, and having the digging edge provided with the spaced seats 8 for the The digging teeth 9 are, or may be, of conventional construction.

What is contemplated especially is a front casting which while light in weight serves to add a minimum to the weight of the bucket structure, yet is extremely strong and durable so as to withstand the hard usage and wear to which it is subjected in practice. Preferably I use manganese steel for the casting 1 and so as to economize in weight without sacrifice in strength and wear-resisting qualities, the casting is provided with a novel arrangement of ribs.

Fig. l, for instance, illustrates a front rib l0 curving from the site of the tooth seats 8, at the front edge of the casting 1, and extending rearwardly from the tooth seats; then upwardly and forwardly to the hitch plates It, to which latter reference will be made later, more in detail.

Thus, the front edge rib I serves to take the hard knocks and wear to which the front edge of the bucket casting is subjected.

Fig. 1, and likewise Fig. 3, illustrate a second rib l l extending from the bottom of the casting 1,

in spaced relation to the front rib Ill and to a rearwardly disposed rib 12, also extending from the bottom of the casting I. The intermediate rib ll follows the curve of the front rib ID, in spaced relationship thereto, as previously mentioned, but does not extend all the way forwardly to the hitch plates 16. The rib ll terminates about half way from the bottom of the rib or casting 1 to the hitch plate I6.

The rearwardly disposed front-reinforcing rib [2, however, extends forwardly to the associated hitch plate [6, merging with the horizontal reinforcing rib M. This horizontal reinforcing rib I4 extends from the rear edge of the casting (there being a rib [4 at :each side, of course) to the .hitch plate 16.

The casting '1 has its rear edge at each side provided with a reinforcing rib [3 beginning about half way up "from the bottom of the casting and crossing the end of the horizontal reinforcing rib II.

From above the horizontal reinforcing rib I4 the rear edge of the casting 1 which is, by the way, defined by rib l5, curves forwardly and upwardly to define the horizontal top at each side of the casting. I, which top terminates in the hitch plate bearings lfia.

At this point, reference is made to the tapered arch receiving pockets 25 which are formed integral with the casting I at each side adjacent the top thereof. The pockets 25 are supported by the horizontal rearwardly curved top ribs l5 and by the laterally extending top portions I la of the subjacent horizontal ribs 14. The pockets 25 are further reinforced by the flanges 250. about three sides thereof, which flanges are, of course, integral with the rear edge and top providing flange l5 of the casting. Each pocket 25 rein- 'forcement is also provided by the top hitch bearing flange 'orpiece lea-illustrated in Fig. l,

as a continuation of pocket reinforcing flange 25a. Figs. 1 and 3 also illustrate the lower pocket reinforcing flange Ma as connecting the hitch plate I5 with the rear flange I3 of the casting I.

The pockets or arch end receiving sockets 25 are, which is heretofore stated, formed integral with casting 1 and as shown are spaced at the upper forward ends of the casting 1. The inner plate 23 of the arch structure is flaredat its lower end and the casting I is provided with a recess or -=pocket 25b,the upper edge of the bucket 6 being slotted as at 25c to-receive and allow the passage of the lower end 23a of the inner arch plate '23 to pass 'th'erethrough to seat within the recess 25b. As best seen in Fig. 4 the lower end of the arch plate 23, after the same has been moved through the slot 250 in the bucketrim, has welded thereto a protector or filler plate 25d which lies flush with the inner surface of the bucket as the plate 25d also fits-within the openin'g'ZSc-and the recess 25b. Of course it will be understood that the inner side, that is the side of the socket 25 adjacent the inner bucket side, has no wall, but is open with the exception of the top rail of the bucket.

Incidental reference has hereinabove been 'm'ade'to the hitch plates 1 6. These may be made integral with thecasting 1 but preferably each of the hitch plates I6 is provided with a vertical rear end recess receiving the forward portion of the associated side of the casting l and welded thereto. However, this is merely an incidental feature.

The hitch plates [6 terminate at their forward ends in the spaced horizontal bearing portions Ilia which portions are vertically apertured to receive the bearing pin l8. Bearing pin l8 secures the rear horizontal ears or bearing portions ll of the conventional hitch having the chain attaching portions l9 which are pivoted to the parts I! by'means of a horizontal pivot pin 20.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the illustrations in the drawings, it will be apparent that the rib formation H), h, l2, with the associated horizontal rib I4, and rear edge rib l3, I5, will effectually transfer the stresses from the teeth 9, efficiently and properly throughout the front of the bucket. It will likewise be evident that stresses applied to the hitch connections [9 will be properly distributed and the front or digging lip 1 will efficiently withstand tendency of the sides of the bucket at the front to close inwardly toward one another as the result of pull line-exerted stress applied to hitches l9. By this expedient, fatigue of the metal at the front end of the bucket, due to bending of such front end, is resisted thus relieving to .a considerable. extent, strain upon the arch .21. It

is to be understood, of course, that one of the functions of the arch 2|, is to counteract the inwardly tapered ends 21a of said arch being seated in the correspondingly tapered side pockets .25, previously mentioned. Thus, the terminal ends Zia of the arch 21 are sustained .in all directions. The .sides of the arch terminals seat against the front and rear ends of the pockets :25, while .the tapered outer portion 22 .of each arch end is sustained by the tapered outer wall of the pocket 25. It will be understood that the ends 2 la of thearch will be welded orotherwise secured in the supporting pockets 25.

Heretofore, there has always been the tendency of the attachingsides of the arch, such as 11,120 crack or for the side walls of the bucket to which the arch ends are attached, to crack under the stress of severe and rough usage to which the bucket is subjected in practice. However, with my construction, as illustrated herein and described, the arch 2l is virtually an integral part of the casting 1, so that stresses applied to the arch are transmitted to the casting in ahighly efficient and satisfactory manner.

Referring more specifically to .the .arch .2I, it

will be observed that in the .present instance the same comprehends spaced outer and inner

parallel plates

22, 23 to the free edges of which are welded side plates '24. So as to provide greater strength and rigidity, the inner .arch plate 23 has the forwardly extending lower portions 23a which are flared as at 231) toward their lower portions which are welded to the inner side portions of the bucket or casting I. A line attaching fixture of any preferred or standard form is indicated at 26, carried by the top of the v:arch2l,

as usual.

By use of the novel casting or digging front 1, as an aid in resisting the tendency of the digging front of the bucketclose, underacti0n of the pulling chains, danger of the arch 2i being stressed beyond its elastic limit and safe coeflicient of deflection is obviated.

Also, the provision of the arch end seating pockets 25 of digging front 1, and the flange supporting means I3, I 4, Ma, l5, therefor, make the arch 21 substantially an integral part of said digging front-providing casting l. The result is that the pulling stresses of the chains attached to hitch connections [9 (which stresses as aforesaid tend to close the front of the bucket) are not transferred back through the bucket body to cause fatigue of the material constituting its side walls.

The ribs I0, I I, I2 and for that matter, the ribs [3, I5, tend to prevent inward bending of the sides of my bucket under pulling action on the hitches l9. The ribs or flanges lfia, 25a, 15 and for that matter the ribs Ma at the lower portion of the socket 25, counteract tendency of the wings or sides of the bucket front (see Fig. 1) to twist under pulling action on the hitches l9 and prevent a twist tendency from being applied to the arch 2| which would result in the seams of the arch legs ultimately separating.

A front arch structure herein disclosed will give satisfactory service for an indefinite period without increasing the weight of the bucket 6. A bucket so designed and equipped can dig hard material without so arranging the hitch that the bucket will kick up in the back.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A dragline bucket or the like open at the front, and having side and bottom walls, a reinforcing member secured to the open front end of the bucket, the reinforcing member having digging teeth along its lower edge and coincident with the bottom wall of the bucket, cable hitches carried by the respective sides of the reinforcing member, tapered sockets formed at the upper edges of the reinforcing member and near the front thereof, an arch member extending crosswise of the bucket and having depending legs engageable within and secured to said sockets, said arch consisting of two side plates, an outer plate fitted between the two side plates and an inner plate, the ends of the side plates and outer plate converging to a wedge shape end to fit within the socket, the said plates tightly engaging the walls of the socket, and a rearwardly extending reinforcing rib connecting each hitch and the related socket with the rear portion of the reinforcing member to prevent twisting action being applied to the legs of the arch member by way of the reinforcing member and socket as the result of pulling force being applied to said cable hitches.

2. A dragline bucket or the like open at the front, and having side and bottom walls, a reinforcing member secured to the open front end of the bucket, the reinforcing member having digging teeth along its lower edge and coincident with the bottom wall of the bucket, cable hitches carried by the respective sides of the reinforcing member, tapered sockets formed at the upper edges of the reinforcing member and near the front thereof, an arch member extending crosswise of the bucket and having depending legs engageable within and secured to said sockets, said arch consisting of two side plates, an outer plate fitted between the two side plates and an inner plate, the ends of the side plate and outer plate converging to a wedge shape end to fit within the socket, the said plates tightly engaging the walls of the socket, and a rearwardly extending reinforcing rib connecting each hitch and the related socket with the rear portion of the reinforcing member to prevent twisting action being applied to the legs of the arch member by way of the reinforcing member and socket as the result of pulling force being applied to said cable hitches, the reinforcing member having an integral recess adjacent the inner side of the socket member, an opening in the upper edge of the bucket and registering with said recess, the inner plate of the arch termimating in a flared portion and movable through said opening into said recess when the arch end is moved into the socket and welded within said recess.

3. A dragline bucket or the like open at the front, and having side and bottom walls. a reinforcing member secured to the open front end of the bucket, the reinforcing member having digging teeth along its lower edge and coincident with the bottom wall of the bucket, cable hitches carried by the respective sides of the reinforcing member, tapered sockets formed at the upper edges of the reinforcing member and near the front thereof, an arch member extending L crosswise of the bucket and having depending legs engageable within and secured to said sockets, said arch consisting of two side plates, an outer plate fitted between the two side plates and an inner plate, the ends of the side plate and outer plate converging to a Wedge shape end to fit within the socket, the said plates tightly engaging the walls of the socket, and a rearwardly extending reinforcing rib connecting each hitch and the related socket with the rear portion of the reinforcing member to prevent twisting action being applied to the legs of the arch member by way of the reinforcing member and socket as the result of pulling force being applied to said cable hitches, the reinforcing member having an integral recess adjacent the inner side of the socket member, an opening in the upper edge of the bucket and registering with said recess, the inner plate of the arch terminating in a flared portion and movable through said opening into said recess when the arch end is moved into the socket and welded within said recess, and a filler plate fitting within said recess and covering the lower flared end of the inner plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,695,480 Bouy Dec. 18, 1928 1,767,691 Mitchell June 24, 1930 1,938,163 Yaun Dec. 5, 1933 2,398,360 Danielset a1 Apr. 16, 1946