Hole digging device for construction equipment

Abstract

A hole digging device is configured as an attachment for use in combination with a hydraulic excavator, such as a backhoe, the device including opposed, pivotally connected digging blades. One of the blades includes opposed arms for supporting the device on the distal end of the boom of the hydraulic excavator or backhoe and the other digging blade also includes opposed arms for connection to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder for moving the digging blades relative to each other between open and closed positions.

1 . A post hole digging device in combination with an excavator apparatus including a moveable boom, said device comprising: 
 opposed digging blades pivotally connected to each other to form a generally cylindrical hole upon being forced to penetrate the earth;    a pair of opposed arms connected to one of said blades for connecting said device to said boom of said excavator apparatus; and    the other of said blades including means for connection to an actuator mounted on said boom for moving said blades relative to each other between device open and closed positions.    
   
   
       2 . The combination set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said one blade includes opposed recesses and said other blade comprises opposed bosses projecting from opposed side edges of said other blade and adapted for receipt within said recesses, respectively, and said device includes opposed pivot members for supporting said blades with respect to each other for pivotal movement of said other blade with respect to said one blade.    
   
   
       3 . The combination set forth in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said one blade includes support members secured to said one blade adjacent said recesses for supporting said pivot members, respectively.    
   
   
       4 . The combination set forth in  claim 3  including: 
 bearing bushings disposed in said bosses on said other blade and adapted for receiving said pivot members and for supporting said blades with respect to each other for pivotal movement.    
   
   
       5 . The combination set forth in  claim 3  wherein: 
 said blades comprise cooperating portions of respective side edges for limiting pivotal movement of said blades with respect to each other between an open position for penetration of said blades into the earth and a closed position for retrieving a quantity of earth trapped between said blades.    
   
   
       6 . The combination set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said arms include spaced apart pin receiving bores formed therein for connecting said device to said boom by spaced apart support pin means disposed on said boom and disposed in said bores in said arms, respectively.    
   
   
       7 . The combination set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said means for connection on said other blade comprise spaced apart arms including means for connecting said other blade to said actuator.    
   
   
       8 . The combination set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said other blade includes a concave arcuate relieved upper edge portion to provide cylindricity of said hole when said device is retrieved from said hole.    
   
   
       9 . A post hole digging device in combination with an excavator apparatus including a moveable boom, said device comprising: 
 opposed digging blades pivotally connected to each other to form a generally cylindrical hole upon being forced to penetrate the earth;    opposed spaced apart arms connected to each of said blades for connecting said device to said boom and to an actuator, respectively, of said excavator apparatus; and    opposed pivot pins for supporting said blades with respect to each other for pivotal movement of one blade with respect to the other blade.    
   
   
       10 . The combination set forth in  claim 9  wherein: 
 said one blade includes opposed recesses and said other blade comprises opposed bosses projecting from opposed side edges of said other blade and adapted for receipt within said recesses, respectively.    
   
   
       11 . The combination set forth in  claim 10  wherein: 
 said one blade includes support members secured to said one blade adjacent said recesses for supporting said pivot pins, respectively.    
   
   
       12 . The combination set forth in  claim 11  including: 
 bearing bushings disposed in said bosses on said other blade and adapted for receiving said pivot pins, respectively.    
   
   
       13 . The combination set forth in  claim 9  wherein: 
 said blades comprise cooperating portions of said side edges for limiting pivotal movement of said blades with respect to each other between a device open position, for penetration of said blades into the earth and a device closed position for retrieving a quantity of earth disposed between said blades.    
   
   
       14 . The combination set forth in  claim 9  wherein: 
 said arms on one of said blades include spaced apart pin receiving bores for connecting said device to said boom by spaced apart support pin means.    
   
   
       15 . A post hole digging device in combination with an excavator apparatus including a moveable boom, said device comprising: 
 opposed digging blades connected to each other to form a generally cylindrical hole upon being forced to penetrate the earth;    opposed spaced apart arms connected to each of said blades for connecting said device to said boom and to an actuator mounted on said boom, respectively;    one of said blades includes opposed recesses and the other of said blades comprises opposed bosses disposed within said recesses, respectively;    opposed pivot pins for supporting said blades with respect to each other for pivotal movement of one blade with respect to the other blade; and    bearing bushings disposed in said bosses on said other blade and adapted for receiving said pivot pins, respectively.    
   
   
       16 . The combination set forth in  claim 15  wherein: 
 said blades comprise cooperating portions of said side edges for limiting pivotal movement of said blades with respect to each other between a device open position for penetration of said blades into the earth and a device closed position for retrieving a quantity of earth disposed between said blades.    
   
   
       17 . The combination set forth in  claim 15  wherein: 
 said arms on one of said blades include spaced apart pin receiving bores for connecting said device to said boom by spaced apart support pin means.    
   
   
       18 . The combination set forth in  claim 15  wherein: 
 said other blade includes a concave arcuate relieved upper edge portion to provide cylindricity of said hole when said device is retrieved from said hole.