The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the delivery of aggregates, such as sand or gravel. In particular the invention relates to a bucket that can laterally unload aggregates from a variety of heights and can be maneuvered into close-fitting spaces.
In such industries as landscaping, there is often the need to place aggregates in close-fitting spaces around residential pools, narrow trenches and the like. Conventional mechanized delivery methods for aggregates rely on large machinery, which cannot fit in such close-fitting spaces. Consequently, the transport and placement of aggregates in such spaces is usually done manually. It is in any event desirable to deliver and unload aggregates in close-fitting spaces more rapidly and efficiently, as well as at different heights.
The present invention comprises a lateral discharge bucket, which can be attached to small loaders, such as a BOBCAT® loader. The bucket has generally the shape of a conventional bucket and is attached to the loader through an industry standard bucket attachment. The bucket is controlled from the loader's control panel through an industry standard hydraulic connection.
The bottom portion of the bucket consists of a conveyor-like discharge belt, which can operate in either direction to discharge and unload aggregates from inside the bucket through lateral openings on both sides of the bucket. The bucket therefore can be maneuvered by the loader into close-fitting areas with one of the lateral openings oriented in the desired direction. Once the discharge belt is put in motion, the aggregates can be unloaded easily, rapidly and efficiently. The delivery of aggregates can also take place while the loader is in motion, such as for example when filling a narrow trench. Another advantage of the present invention is that during the delivery operation the motion of the discharge belt loosens compacted aggregates, which has the advantage of “fluffing” or “aerating” the contents during discharge.
Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to
Referring again to
Discharge belt 5 is made of a rubber material and effectively forms the bottom of the bucket 1. The surface of the belt will usually have raised ribs or elements formed integrally with the belt, providing a ribbed surface for aggressive and effective movement of aggregates along the belt 5 during the unloading operation. However, in some operation, particularly in handling unset concrete, I may be preferred to provide the belt without any raised surface features.
At the interface between the metal bucket elements and moving belt portions there are installed wearable plastic slides 6 to prevent wear of the metal bucket edges through abrasion when adjacent aggregates are moved and discharged. These are installed in any preferable way and also serve to prevent or minimize the sideways trapping movement of aggregates into the drive mechanism.
Wearplates 6 are attached at the bottom of sidewalls 4 as shown, adjacent to the area of belt movement. Wearplates 6 are of an appropriate width and overhang the adjacent covered edges of bucket 1. In this way sidewalls 4 are protected from the abrasive wear produced by contact with aggregates.
In some embodiments, an angled beam 20, especially a piece of “L” bar, may be positioned above the top surface of the conveyor belt 5 inside the bucket 1. The angled beam may be removably inserted, so that it is used when useful for the material being operated upon and removed when it is not useful. In either case, the angled beam 20 spans the distance between the sidewalls 4, preferably slightly above the wearplates 6. The angled beam 20 runs across the bucket with its longitudinal axis running parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt 5. As further shown in
A further optional feature shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
The underside of the discharge belt at 5 comprises four rows of protrusions 10, hereafter called drive knobs, horizontally aligned along the width of the belt 5, to be engaged by the four sprockets 8 of the drive wheel 7. As each successive row of sprockets rotationally engages the drive knobs, movement of the belt, which is supported by the idler wheels (described in more detail below), is achieved. In this manner the drive wheel 7 is able to place the discharge belt 5 in motion in either direction depending on the rotational direction of drive axle 9, which is signaled and controlled by the hydraulic motor. The present drive system has the advantage of preventing slippage of the belt 5 when powered, as can happen in conventional conveyor belt systems utilizing rollers. One drive wheel 7 at one end of the bucket 1 is provided and is sufficient to drive the discharge belt 5.
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Due to its industry standard attachment and hydraulic connection, the lateral discharge bucket can be mounted on any existing loader. In one embodiment, for example, the bucket can be attached to a telescopic handler for delivering and unloading aggregates to high elevation places, such as roofs.
Other advantages, which are inherent to the structure, are obvious to one skilled in the art. The embodiments are described herein illustratively and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Variations of the foregoing embodiments will be evident to a person of ordinary skill and are intended by the inventor to be encompassed by the following claims.
This application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application 60/805,816, filed 26 Jun. 2006, the content of which is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.
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5772389 | Feller | Jun 1998 | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080000757 A1 | Jan 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60805816 | Jun 2006 | US |