Patent Application
20240068198
The present disclosure relates to a hitch assembly for a bucket of a work machine, such as, a dragline excavator.
Machines, such as dragline excavators, typically include a dragline bucket associated therewith. The dragline bucket may be used in mining and earth moving operations. For example, the dragline bucket may be used to excavate and hold materials, such as, rocks/aggregate, or other large finds. The dragline bucket is suspended from a boom of the machine by a rigging assembly. The dragline bucket is maneuvered by means of the rigging assembly. For example, the rigging assembly may include multiple chains that connect with the dragline bucket. In an example, a linkage may be used to connect a corresponding chain with the dragline bucket.
Conventionally, as the dragline bucket is used to dig deeper into a ground surface, the chain of the rigging assembly may have to be moved to a higher hitch location on the dragline bucket, which may allow teeth of the dragline bucket to engage into the soil without the dragline bucket heeling over. For connecting the chain at another hitch location, an operator may have to remove a pin that connects the linkage with the dragline bucket. Further, the operator may have to manually move the linkage to different hitch locations, as per application requirements. As the components of the rigging assembly are generally heavy, it may be cumbersome for the operator to handle such heavy components and, in some examples, a crane may be required to move the linkage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,738 describes a dragline bucket wherein the center of gravity is along a line making an angle of at least 90° with a line from the tooth tip to the horizontal pivot axis of the dragline hitch. The disclosure also describes a movable hitch.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a hitch assembly for a bucket of a work machine is provided. The hitch assembly includes a bracket adapted to be removable coupled with the bucket at any one of a plurality of hitch locations. The bracket defines a first bracket end and a second bracket end opposite the first bracket end. The bracket is adapted to be coupled with a drag chain proximal to the first bracket end. The hitch assembly also includes one or more first mechanical fasteners adapted to removably couple the bracket with the bucket. The hitch assembly further includes a second mechanical fastener adapted to be coupled with each of the bucket and the bracket proximal to the second bracket end. Based on a removal of the one or more first mechanical fasteners from the bucket and the bracket, the bracket and the second mechanical fastener is adapted to rotate relative to the bucket for disposing the bracket at any one of the plurality of hitch locations.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a bucket assembly for a work machine is provided. The bucket assembly includes a bucket. The bucket assembly also includes a hitch assembly adapted to be coupled to the bucket. The hitch assembly includes a bracket adapted to be removably coupled with the bucket at any one of a plurality of hitch locations. The bracket defines a first bracket end and a second bracket end opposite the first bracket end. The bracket is adapted to be coupled with a drag chain proximal to the first bracket end. The hitch assembly also includes one or more first mechanical fasteners adapted to removably couple the bracket with the bucket. The hitch assembly further includes a second mechanical fastener adapted to be coupled with each of the bucket and the bracket proximal to the second bracket end. Based on a removal of the one or more first mechanical fasteners from the bucket and the bracket, the bracket and the second mechanical fastener is adapted to rotate relative to the bucket for disposing the bracket at any one of the plurality of hitch locations.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The work machine 100 includes a frame 102. Further, the work machine 100 also includes an enclosure 104. The work machine 100 further includes a power source (not shown). In addition to other components, the enclosure 104 may house the power source. The power source may supply power to various components of the work machine 100 for operating one or more components of the work machine 100 and also facilitates a movement of the work machine 100. In one example, the power source may include an engine, such as, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of engine known in the art. In other examples, the power source may include a battery system.
Although now shown herein, the work machine 100 may include ground engaging members, such as, wheels, tracks, or a walking mechanism for mobility. The work machine 100 includes a boom 106. The boom 106 is controlled by a suspension system 108 connected to a mast 110 and a gantry frame 112. The work machine 100 further includes a rigging assembly 114 coupled to one or more hoist ropes 116.
The present disclosure describes a bucket assembly 200 for the work machine 100. The bucket assembly 200 is coupled to the rigging assembly 114. The bucket assembly 200 includes a bucket 202. The bucket 202 is embodied as a dragline bucket herein. Further, the rigging assembly 114 includes a drag socket 118 and one or more drag ropes 120. The hoist ropes 116 pass over a boom point sheave 122 of the boom 106 and suspends the bucket 202 therefrom. Further, the bucket 202 is coupled to the drag ropes 120 by the drag socket 118.
The rigging assembly 114 includes a hoist socket 124 and a spreader bar (not shown). The rigging assembly 114 further includes a number of hoist chains 130. The spreader bar along with the hoist chains 130 suspends the bucket 202. Further, the bucket 202 can be moved by the drag chains 136 and a dump rope 138 that is connected to the bucket 202 by a dump sheave 140.
Referring now to
The present disclosure relates to a hitch assembly 208 for the bucket 202 of the work machine 100 (see
It should be noted that the hitch assembly 208 described herein is associated with the side wall 204. However, another side wall of the bucket 202 that is spaced apart from the side wall 204 may also include a hitch assembly similar to the hitch assembly 208, without any limitations. Accordingly, the bucket 202 may include a pair of hitch assemblies (similar to the hitch assembly 208) associated therewith.
The hitch assembly 208 includes a bracket 210 that is removably coupled with the bucket 202 at any one of the number of hitch locations. Further, the hitch assembly 208 also includes one or more first mechanical fasteners 212 that removably couple the bracket 210 with the bucket 202. In the illustrated embodiment of
Referring to
The bracket 210 includes a first plate member 216 defining a first inner surface 218 and a first outer surface 220. The bracket 210 also includes a second plate member 222 defining a second inner surface 224 and a second outer surface 226. Each of the first plate member 216 and the second plate member 222 extend along the longitudinal axis “A1” of the bracket 210 and are spaced apart from each other along the lateral axis “A2” of the bracket 210 that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis “A1”. Further, the first and second plate member 222 are similar to each other in terms of shape and dimensions. The first and second plate member 222 are substantially oval in shape.
Further, the bracket 210 defines one or more first through-holes 228. More particularly, the first plate member 216 and the second plate member 222 of the bracket 210 together define the one or more first through-holes 228. In the illustrated embodiment of
As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
The bracket 210 includes a first thrust hub 246 disposed on the first outer surface 220 and a second thrust hub 248 disposed on the second outer surface 226. Each of the first thrust hub 246 and the second thrust hub 248 is in alignment with the hub member 242. Further, each of the first thrust hub 246, the first plate member 216, the hub member 242, the second plate member 222, and the second thrust hub 248 together define a through-opening 250 proximal to the first bracket end 213. The through-opening 250 of the bracket 210 allows coupling of the drag chain 136 with the bracket 210. The bracket 210 defines a length L1 along the longitudinal axis “A1”. The length “L1” is defined between a central axis A3 of the through-opening 250 and a central axis A4 of the second through-hole 230.
In some examples, the bracket 210 may be embodied as a single integral component. In an example, the bracket 210 may be manufactured as a single component by casting or forging. Alternatively, various components of the bracket 210 may be manufactured separately and may be connected to each other by a known joining process, such as, welding.
Referring now to
The second mechanical fastener 252 may be embodied as a pivot pin that allow pivoting of the bracket 210 relative to the bucket 202. The second mechanical fastener 252 includes a first polygonal end 254, a second polygonal end 256 opposite the first polygonal end 254, and a cylindrical portion 258 extending between the first polygonal end 254 and the second polygonal end 256. The first polygonal end 254 locks with the first plate member 216. In other words, when the second mechanical fastener 252 is coupled to the bucket 202 and the bracket 210, the first polygonal end 254 of the second mechanical fastener 252 locks with each of the pair of first projections 232. A locking of the second mechanical fastener 252 with each of the pair of first projections 232 prevents a rotation of the second mechanical fastener 252 relative to the bracket 210. In the illustrated embodiment of
Further, the second polygonal end 256 locks with the second plate member 222. In other words, when the second mechanical fastener 252 is coupled to the bucket 202 and the bracket 210, the second polygonal end 256 of the second mechanical fastener 252 locks with the second projection 236. A locking of the second mechanical fastener 252 with the second projection 236 prevents the rotation of the second mechanical fastener 252 relative to the bracket 210. In the illustrated embodiment of
Further, the cylindrical portion 258 of the second mechanical fastener 252 is received within the second through-hole 230 in the bracket 210 and a through-opening 260 in the bucket 202. In some examples, a bushing 262 may be disposed between the bucket 202 and the cylindrical portion 258 of the second mechanical fastener 252.
Further, when the bracket 210 is rotated, the first polygonal end 254, the second polygonal end 256, and the cylindrical portion 258 rotate with the bracket 210. Moreover, when the bracket 210 is rotated, the first polygonal end 254, the second polygonal end 256, and the cylindrical portion 258 rotate relative to the bucket 202. It should be noted that the second mechanical fastener 252 may be manufactured by coupling the first and second polygonal ends 254, 256 with the cylindrical portion 258 by a joining process, such as, welding, soldering, brazing, and the like. For example, the first and second polygonal ends 254, 256 may be embodied as weld-on heads. Alternatively, the first polygonal end 254, the second polygonal end 256, and the cylindrical portion 258 may be integrally formed. For example, the second mechanical fastener 252 may be manufactured by castor or forging. The second mechanical fastener 252 may include any one of a bolt, a pin, a screw, and the like. In some examples, the second mechanical fastener 252 may include snap rings to hold the second mechanical fastener 252 in place. In other examples, the second mechanical fastener 252 may include a combination of a bolt, a washer, and a nut.
Further, the hitch assembly 208 includes a locking plate 264 coupled with each of the bracket 210 and the second mechanical fastener 252. The locking plate 264 at least partially receive each of the pair of first projections 232 and the first polygonal end 254. The locking plate 264 is substantially rectangular in shape and defines a rectangular cavity 266. The rectangular cavity 266 of the locking plate 264 partially receives the pair of first projections 232 and the first polygonal end 254 therein. The locking plate 264 also defines a slot 268 and a through-hole 269 that is concentric with the slot 268. In one example, the slot 268 may be circular in shape. Further, when the locking plate 264 is coupled with the bracket 210 and the second mechanical fastener 252, a gap 270 exists between the bracket 210 and the locking plate 264.
The hitch assembly 208 further includes a third mechanical fastener 272 that couples the locking plate 264 with the second mechanical fastener 252. The third mechanical fastener 272 is received within the through-hole 269 in the locking plate 264 and the threaded hole 255 in the first polygonal end 254. When the third mechanical fastener 272 is coupled to the locking plate 264 and the second mechanical fastener 252, a head of the third mechanical fastener 272 is at least partially received within the slot 268 of the locking plate 264. The third mechanical fastener 272 and the locking plate 264 together retain the second mechanical fastener 252 in coupling with the bracket 210, and prevents a removal of the second mechanical fastener 252 from the bracket 210. The third mechanical fastener 272 may include a bolt, a pin, a screw, and the like. Further, a washer 274 is disposed between the third mechanical fastener 272 and the locking plate 264.
Referring now to
Further, the adjustment mechanism 700 includes an actuation device 704 defining a first end 706 and a second end 708. The actuation device 704 is embodied as an actuator herein. Alternatively, the actuation device 704 may include any other device, such as, a turn buckle. The actuation device 704 includes a rod 710 (shown in
The adjustment mechanism 700 further includes a lever 720 defining a first coupling end 722 and a second coupling end 724. The first coupling end 722 of the lever 720 is coupled with the actuation device 704 at the second end 708 of the actuation device 704. Specifically, the second connecting bracket 716 of the actuation device 704 is removably connected to the lever 720. The actuation device 704 is coupled with the lever 720 using a mechanical fastener 726. The mechanical fastener 726 may include a bolt, a pin, a screw, and the like. When the lever 720 is assembled with the bracket 210, the lever 720 defines a distance “D1” between the first coupling end 722 and the central axis “A4”. The distance “D1” is greater than the length “L1” defined by the bracket 210 such that the mechanical advantage is greater than 1. This feature may allow the actuation device 704 to be smaller and easier to handle.
As shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
Alternatively, when the bracket 210 is to be disposed at the lower hitch location (as illustrated in
The present disclosure relates to the hitch assembly 208 associated with the bucket 202. The hitch assembly 208 includes the bracket 210 that may be disposed at different hitch locations. For example, when the bucket 202 is required to dig deeper into the ground surface, the bracket 210 may be moved to a higher hitch location, which may allow teeth of the bucket 202 to engage into soil without the bucket 202 heeling over. The bracket 210 includes the first and second thrust hubs 246, 248 that may reduce wear and tear of the first and second plate members 216, 222 caused by contact of the bracket 210 with the drag chain 136. Moreover, the first and second extending portions 234, 240 may prevent wear and tear of the first mechanical fasteners 212 as the first mechanical fasteners 212 are contained within the first and second extending portions 234, 240. Moreover, the second mechanical fastener 252 is protected from wear by the first projections 232, the locking plate 264, and the second projection 236.
Further, the hitch assembly 208 as described herein includes the adjustment mechanism 700 that allows the bracket 210 to be easily moved between different hitch locations. Thus, a personnel may not have to manually move the bracket 210, thereby reducing efforts. Moreover, the adjustment bracket 702 may be fixedly coupled with the side wall 204 of the bucket 202. The adjustment bracket 702 may be mounted high enough, such that, it is protected from wear and tear. Further, the lever 720 of the adjustment mechanism 700 may be easy to handle as it may be lightweight by virtue of the various openings 734 defined therein. Furthermore, the lever 720 includes the lifting lugs 736 that may allow easy placement and lifting of the lever 720 during assembling and disassembling of the adjustment mechanism 700.
The hitch assembly 208 as described herein may be easy to use and may be cost-effective to incorporate. Further, the hitch assembly 208 may be easily retrofitted on existing buckets with minimum modifications. It should be further noted that the hitch assembly 208 as described herein may be incorporated on different types of buckets.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed work machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
