Apparatus for attachment to a loader

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a loader for moving materials. The apparatus includes a bucket having a first and a second end. A support is secured to the first end of the bucket for supporting the bucket relative to the loader. A front plate is pivotally secured to the second end of the bucket. A clam shell closure has a first and a second extremity. The first extremity is pivotally secured to the first end of the bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when the closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which the second extremity of the closure cooperates with the front plate, the materials are secured between the bucket, front plate and the closure. The apparatus also includes a device for pivoting the front plate from a first location for loading the materials to a second location in which the front plate cooperates with the second extremity of the closure for moving the materials.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: 
 a bucket having a first and a second end;    support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader;    a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket;    a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure; and    means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said apparatus is a clam shell type bucket apparatus;  
 said bucket further including: 
 a base of generally rectangular configuration, said base having a front edge, a rear edge, and a first and second side edge;  
 a rear wall extending upwardly from said rear edge;  
 a first and a second sidewall extending upwardly from said first and second side edges of said base respectively.  
 
 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein 
 each sidewall extends from said rear wall towards said front edge of said base.  
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said support means includes: 
 linkage means extending between the loader and said first end of said bucket, said linkage means being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket:  
 a cylinder extending between said linkage means and said bucket for pivoting said bucket about said linkage means;  
 control means for controlling said cylinder in order to adjust a position of said bucket relative to the loader.  
 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said front plate includes: 
 an upper and a lower plate, each upper and lower plate having a forward and a rearward end, said upper and lower plates converging toward each other in a direction toward said forward ends;  
 a tubular portion of generally C-shaped cross sectional configuration, said tubular portion being rigidly secured to said rearward ends of said upper and lower plates.  
 
 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein 
 said front plate further includes: 
 a supporting rod which extends through said C-shaped tubular portion, said rod being rigidly secured to said second end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that pivoting said front plate relative to said rod and said second end of said bucket is permitted.  
 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 said front plate includes: 
 a mounting bracket;  
 coupling means secured to said bracket such that when said bracket is moved, said front plate pivots about said second end of said bucket.  
 
 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  wherein 
 said coupling means is ball joint type coupling.  
 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  wherein 
 said coupling means is a linkage type coupling.  
 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said closure includes: 
 a first and a second lateral wall extending from said first and second lateral edges respectively, the arrangement being such that when said closure is in said closed disposition, said front wall cooperates with said front plate.  
 
 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein 
 said front wall defines a serrated edge which cooperates with said front plate when said front plate is disposed in said second location thereof so that material within said bucket is cut and separated by an interaction of said serrated edge with said front plate.  
 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said means for pivoting said front plate includes: 
 at least one linkage arm having a first and a second end, said first end being pivotally secured to said closure, said second end of said arm being pivotally connected to said front plate, the arrangement being such that when said closure is moved from said open disposition thereof to said closed disposition thereof, said linkage arm pivots said front plate from said first towards said second location thereof.  
 
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further including: 
 a first actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof;  
 a second actuator for pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof;  
 an actuator control operably connected to said first and second actuators for [selectively] permitting independent movement of said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof.  
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further including: 
 a first actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof;  
 a second actuator for pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof,  
 an actuator control operably connected to said first and second actuators for [selectively] permitting sequentially linked movement of said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof.  
 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: 
 a bucket having a first and a second end;    support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader;    a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket;    a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure;    means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof;    a plurality of tines extending from said second extremity of said closure; and    said front plate defining a sharp edge for cooperating with said tines.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for attachment to a loader for moving materials, said apparatus comprising: 
 a bucket having a first and a second end; support means secured to said first end of said bucket for supporting said bucket relative to the loader;    a front plate pivotally secured to said second end of said bucket;    a closure having a first and a second extremity, said first extremity being pivotally secured to said first end of said bucket, the arrangement being such that in operation of the apparatus, when said closure pivots from an open disposition thereof to a closed disposition thereof in which said second extremity of said closure cooperates with said front plate, the materials are secured between said bucket, front plate and said closure;    means for pivoting said front plate from a first location when said closure is open for loading the materials to a second location in which said front plate cooperates with said second extremity of said closure for cutting through the materials for removing a portion thereof;    said front plate including: 
 an upper and a lower plate, each upper and lower plate having a forward and a rearward end; and  
 a tubular portion defining a hole disposed at said rearward end, said tubular portion being rigidly secured to said rearward ends of said upper and lower plates.  
   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said means for pivoting said front plate includes: 
 at least one linkage arm having a first and a second end;  
 a gear sector mechanism secured to said second end of said linkage arm, said gear sector mechanism being connected to said closure, the arrangement being such that when said closure is moved from said open disposition thereof to said closed disposition thereof, said gear sector mechanism pivots said front plate from said first towards said second location thereof.  
 
 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 said means for pivoting includes: 
 a single actuator for pivoting said closure between said open and said closed dispositions thereof;  
 said single actuator also pivoting said front plate between said first and second locations thereof;  
 an actuator control operably connected to said single actuator for permitting movement of said closure between said open and said closed disposition thereof and pivoting of said front plate between said first and second locations thereof.