US2783558A - Trenching attachment for excavating buckets - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1957 G. c. MORGAN TRENCHING ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING BUCKETS Filed Feb. 14. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

GEORGE CI MORGA N 62%, M,@%&, QM,

ATTORNEYS.

March 5, 1957 c. MORGAN TRENCHING ATTACHMENT FOR EXCAVATING BUCKETS Filed Feb. 14. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v mmvron. GEORGE C. MORGAN A 77'ORNE'YS.

Unite TRENCHING ATTACHNIENT FOREXC AVATIN G BUCKETS George C. Morgan, Williamsville, N. Y.

Application February 14, 1955, Serial No. 487,909

6 Claims. (CI. 37-98) This invention relates generally to theexcavating art, and more'specifically to a newuand .usefnl trencher attachment for standard excavatingbuckets.

In, many instances the bite of a standard excavating bucket is much wider than that which is actually required.

;For example, many modern homes do not have-"a basement but instead merely have a foundation wall which requires only a trench having a width of less than a foot.-

.that whereas in many instances the ground surrounding the excavation is sufiiciently hard so that the settling is not a problem, the fill material in the excavation is very apt to settle and thereby present a serious problem.

Special trencher machines have been developed for use when only a narrow trench is desired, but such machines ter. For example, the contractor must either purchase an additional trencher machine, and thelarger trencher machines are quite expensive, or he must make arrange ments to rent or hire a trencher whenever he needs to excavate a narrow trench, and this latter procedure is apt to be expensive and often is very inconvenient be- States Patent .do not completely solve the problem as a practical matcause it is not always possible to secure the desired trencher at the particular time when it is needed.

Also, conventional large trenchers, which usually comprise a rotary wheel on which excavating buckets are mounted, must be substantially level for. proper operation and they are not always satisfactory when the ground to. be excavated is extremely hard or rocky or comprises wet, sticky clay. Small, jeep operated trencher devices are sometimes used but they have a limited. capacity and also present a problem in. removing the dirt from the excavation.

Therefore, it has been my experience that conventional trencher machines are not always practical and are in fact entirely unsuitable under some. conditions of operation, and that there is a very real need for a practical trencher device which can be used with standard excavating equipment under substantially all conditions.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a trencher attachment for use with standard excavating buckets.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trencher attachment for standard excavating buckets which is readily attached thereto when it is desired to excavate. a trench narrower than the bucket and equally readily detached therefrom when it is desired touse the excavating bucket in the usual manner.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a trencher attachment having the aforesaid characteristics and which is relatively inexpensive and extremely durable.

2,783,558 .jPatented Mar. 5, 1957 A trencher attachment in accord with my invention is characterized by the provision of an elongated member adapted for attachment to an excavating bucket andhaving. an excavating portion narrower then 'the cutting edge .of the bucket and projecting therebeyond to form a relap'arts'broken away for greater clarity, of an excavating bucket'w'ith my novel trencher attachment thereon, being taken about along line 11-11 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through an ex- -cavatorback bucket with. my trencher device attached thereto; 7

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of my'tr'encher attachment; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the back bucket showing the first step in attaching my trencher device thereto;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on 7 line VI-VI of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view'taken about-on line VHVII of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 shows the trencher attachment of my invention used with a standard back bucket excavating machine having a :bucket generally designated 1 pivotally connected at 2 to the bucket boom 3 which is in turn pivotally connected at 4 to the main boom 5. Brace rods 6 extend between the bucket boom 3 and the upper rear edge of the bucket 1 in the usual manner. A bracket 7 is pivoted to the bucket boom 3 adjacent its connection to the .bucket and carries a Wheel '8 around which the cable 9 40 trains, and a second bracket 11 is carried by the bucket boom 3 adjacent its upper end and mounts a wheel '12 about which the cable 13 trains. Cables 9 and 13 are connected to appropriate controls, not shown, for raising, lowering and swinging bucketl in a conventional ma'nner, it being understood that the parts thus far described represent parts of a standard back bucket excavating machine. The trencher attachment according to my invention is indicated generally at 15.

The bucket 1 has side walls 17 and a bottom wall 18 which curves along the bottom edges of the side walls 17 and then upwardly along the rounded rear edges thereof and terminates in a relatively short,'forwardly' extending top Wall portion formed to provide a depending flange 19. A series of laterally spaced enlargements 21 are provided along the forward edge of bottom wall 18, which enlargements are recessed to provide pockets 22 slidably receiving the shanks 23 of the teeth or points 24. The enlargements 21 and the point shanks 23 are apertured, as indicated at 25 and 26, respectively, to receive removable locking pins 27 therein. Whenever it is desired to remove the points, as for sharpening: or replacement thereof, or for attaching the trencher 15 as will: be

described, the pins 27 are simply removed permitting the points 24 to fall out of the pockets 22. Inaddition,

bucket 1 can be provided with conventional side cutters is built up, as by means of ,the bottom wall 30, as at 36.

wedge-shaped. side plates 32. which are welded to the bottom wall 30 and a cross plate 32' welded to plates 32, to provide an upwardly and outwar'dly inclining bracket structure carrying, at a point intermediate the ends of member 15, upwardly projecting parts which can correspond to the points 24 and which include base parts 24' welded to the bracket structure shank parts 23 are spaced laterally from each other and outwardly from the bottom wall 30 of member 15 so as to rojectupwardly in alinement with certain of the pockets 22 which would otherwise receive the bucket 4 points 24. Of course, the upwardly projecting parts of ethertrencher need not correspond to the shape 'of' points 24, as long as they fit into the pockets on the bucket.

My trencher-attachment is constructed so that, with the bucket shown in Fig. having four points 24 for normal purposes, when it is desired to use the trencher attachment the two intermediate points are slipped out of their pockets 22,.as indicated in Fig. 5, by removing the a locking pins 27 therefrom, and the parts 23' of the trencher attachment slip fit into these vacant pockets of the bucket.

The side walls 31 are beveled adjacent the upper end of my trencher attachment, as shown at 35, so as to substantially conform to the inner top wall surface of the bucket as illustrated for example in Fig. 3. An angle bracket 36 is secured to the member 15 adjacentthe 7 ;upper end thereof with one flange of the angle fitting between the side walls 31 and welded thereto and to The other flange of the angle 36 extends upwardly and is provided adjacent its .outer end with a transversely elongated outwardly projecting boss 37.

The bucket 1 is provided, on the flange 19, with bracket means in the form of laterally spaced lugs 38 adapted to receive the upwardly extending flange of angle 36 therebetween and having aligned apertures 39 extending therethrough.

The upper edges of the side walls 31 are beveled along the lower portion of the trencher attachment 15, as shown at 46,'to serve as side cutting edges. The lower edge portions of the side walls 31 are also beveled, as at 47, and

the bottom edge of the bottom wall 39 is sharpened, as at 4118, to Iprovide a cutting end which will readily dig into I t esoi In assembling my trencher attachment on this standard bucketthe center points 24 are removed and the proqectmg parts 23' of the trencher are slipped into the vacant pockets 22 of the bucket in the manner described above. The upwardly extending flange of the angle 36 extendsgalong the terminal flange 19 of the bucket between the lugs 38, with the boss 37 carried by the angle -36lying just above the aligned apertures 39 through the lugs'38. A locking bar 41 having an enlarged head 42 at oneend thereof is then inserted through the alined lug apertures 39 beneath the boss 37 and over the upwardly extending flange of the angle 36. The other end of bar 411s apertured, as at 43', to receive a locking pin 44.

When pin 44 is inserted through aperture 43, bar 41 is held against longitudinal displacement from the lug apertures by the pin 44 and the enlarged head 42, and the trencher is held between bar'41 and flange 19 and is suspended from the bar 41 by the boss 37, whereby member 15 is held against movement outwardly from the sockets 22.

. defined by plates 32 and 32 and shank parts 23. The

with my trencher attachment is that when a very deep working in the relatively deep trench.

, the cutting edge of the bucket.

.the standard excavating bucket, as distinguished from the much lighter force applied by conventional trenchers.

This means that hard clay, and small rocks and the like will be pierced readily and that a clean straight cut leaving substantially vertical end walls will be provided, whereas conventional rotary trenching machines leave end walls having a slope of approximately 45 degrees. Also, because my trencher attachment operates in the manner of an excavating bucket the dirt which is dug by my trencher is pulled up out of the trench to be discarded at one side in the usual manner, leaving a clean trench.

Whereas the standard excavating bucket is relatively wide, as for example on the order of 42 inches, and will thereby dig a trench of that width, my trencher attachment is relatively narrow, having a width of for example 10 inches. Therefore, my trencher attachment enables the standard bucket to be modified quickly to dig a narrow trench. Also, it will be appreciated that a relatively deep trench is readily dug with my trencher attachment without any undue problems of dirt removal, penetration through frosted soil, and the like. For example, the trencher attachment shown in the drawing extends approximately three and one half feet beyond It will be readily appreciated, of course, that the width and length of my trencher attachment can be varied as desired for different purposes, and that my trencher attachment can be readily adapted for attachment to virtually any excavating bucket.

If desired, the lower end portion of my trencher attachment can be inclined forwardly to provide an angle or break adjacent the lower end thereof. In addition, the length of the trencher can be selectively varied by adding a second channel shaped memberthereto, which second channel member can fit within the main channel member 15 and extend from the lower end thereof, the channel members being interconnected by, for example, a number of carriage bolts spaced on four inch centers lengthwise of member 15 to enable several length adjustments. Also, side cutters of the nature of those shown at 28 on the bucket 1 can be applied to the side walls 31 of my .trencher attachment, as by means of bolts or the like.

It will also be appreciated that the depth of the side walls 31 *can be varied as desired.

Another advantage of an excavating bucket equipped trench is being dug, the bucket will also dig into the soil on opposite sides of the trencher and thereby provide a shelf-or table below the top surface of the soil to enable workmen to stand at a lower elevation for Accordingly, it is seen that a trencher attachment according to my invention readily accomplishes the aforesaid objects. It can be used with any standard excavating bucket, and when it is desired to use my trencher attachment all that is necessary is to remove the pins from the center teeth or points and slip these teeth out of their sockets. The trencher attachment parts 23' are then slipped into the vacant pockets with the upper end of the trencher attachment being placed between the lugs 38.

Bar 41 is then slipped into place and the pin 44 applied thereto. This is accomplished in a mere couple of minutes,

and with a minimum of effort, and provides a unique attachment which is suspended by the bar 41 when the bucket is lifted, with digging force being applied thereto at the reinforced bracket provided by the parts 32 and 32". When the trencher is being pulled through the soil.

the upper end of the trencher bears against the inner top wall of the bucket for holding member 15 against undue pivoting to avoid stresses at the connection between bucket enlargements 21 and trencher parts 32, 32', 24' and 23'.

When it is desired to remove my trencher attachment, pin.44 is removed and bar 41 is slipped out of lugs 38,

permitting member 15 to fall from the bucket when the latter is lifted. The points 24 are then replaced.

While only a preferred form of my invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, it will be understood that the same is susceptible of various modifications all falling within the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described my invention, together with its mode of operation, what I claim as new is:

l. A trencher attachment for excavating buckets of the type open at the front and along the top thereof and having a digging edge of predetermined minimum Width provided with laterally spaced recesses therealong comprising, an elongated excavating member having a digging edge adjacent one end portion thereof, said one end portion being narrower than said predetermined width, laterally spaced means carried by said member inter mediate its opposite ends for projecting into said recesses, and means for releasably securing the opposite end portion of said member to said bucket adjacent the upper rear portion thereof with said laterally spaced means projecting into such recesses and with said one end portion projecting beyond the bucket digging edge to form an extension thereof.

2. A trencher attachment for excavating buckets of the type open at the front and along the top thereof and provided along the forward bottom edge thereof with laterally spaced pockets detachably receiving digging teeth therein comprising, an elongated excavating member provided with a digging edge on one end thereof, means carried by said member at a point spaced therealong from said digging edge for projecting into at least certain of said pockets upon removal of the teeth therefrom, and means for detachably securing the other end of said member to the bucket adjacent the top rear portion thereof.

3. A trencher attachment for excavating buckets of the type open at the front and along the top thereof and having pocket means adjacent the forward bottom edge thereof and first bracket means adjacent the upper rear edge thereof comprising, an elongated excavating member provided adjacent one end thereof with a digging edge, means carried by said member intermediate the opposite ends thereof for engaging in said pocket means, second bracket means carried by said member adjacent the opposite end thereof, and means for detachably securing said second bracket means to said first bracket means with said pocket engaging means engaged in said pocket means and with said digging edge projecting outwardly beyond the forward bottom edge of the bucket.

4. Excavating means comprising, in combination, a primary excavating device comprising a load carrying bucket having digging teeth releasably engaged in pockets provided along the forward bottom edge thereof and bracket means adjacent the upper rear edge thereof, and

a secondary excavating device comprising an elongated member provided adjacent one end thereof with a digging edge narrower than the forward bottom edge of said bucket, projections carried by said member intermediate its opposite ends for projecting into certain of said pockets, a bracket device carried by said member adjacent the other end thereof, and means for detachably connecting-said bracket device to said bracket means.

5. An excavating device comprising an excavating bucket open at the front and along the top thereof, means defining laterally spaced recesses along the forward bottom edge of said bucket, and first connection means carried by said bucket adjacent the upper rear edge thereof, and an elongated auxiliary excavating member of generally channel shaped cross section having a digging edge adjacent one end thereof, said member being adapted to extend diagonally across said bucket from said forward bottom edge thereof to said upper rear edge thereof with said digging edge projecting beyond said forward bottom edge, one end of said member being provided with a digging edge, laterally spaced parts carried by said member intermediate the opposite ends thereof for projecting into said recesses, and second connection means carried by said member adjacent the other end thereof and adapted for releasable connection to said first connection means to hang said member therefrom.

6. Excavating means comprising an excavating bucket open at the front and along the top thereof, the forward bottom edge of said bucket having means providing laterally spaced pockets detachably receiving digging teeth therein, means providing a depending flange adjacent the forward top edge of said bucket, and laterally spaced lugs carried by said flange, said lugs having alined apertures therethrough, and a trencher attachment for said bucket, said attachment comprising an elongated excavating member of channel-shaped cross section having a digging edge adjacent one end thereof, bracket means carried by said member adjacent the other end thereof, said bracket means including a flange adapted to extend along said bucket flange between said lugs and having a shoulder defining boss part projecting outwardly therefrom, a locking bar adapted to fit through said apertured lugs over said bracket flange and beneath said boss part for suspending said member, and parts carried by said member and projecting into certain of said pockets when said member is so suspended from said bucket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,726,463 Rogers Dec. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 484,845 Great Britain May 11, 1938

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