Attachment for excavator

Abstract

An excavator attachment ( 1 ) for an excavator, comprising (i) a bucket portion ( 3 ) for receiving excavated material or a scoop portion for collecting excavated material and (ii) a cutter device ( 4 ) capable of cutting and excavating rock, wherein the cutter device comprises a rotary cutter ( 5 ) of elongate configuration having a proximal end ( 6 ) associated with the bucket portion (or the scoop portion) and a distal end ( 7 ) remote from the bucket portion (or the scoop portion) and is so arranged that, in use, the orientation of the elongate rotary cutter relative to the bucket portion (or scoop portion) is fixed.

1 . An excavator attachment for an excavator, the attachment comprising (i) a bucket portion for receiving excavated material or a scoop portion for collecting excavated material, and (ii) a cutter device capable of cutting and excavating rock, wherein the cutter device comprises a rotary cutter of elongate configuration having a proximal end associated with the bucket portion or scoop portion, and a distal end remote from the bucket portion or scoop portion, and is so arranged that, in use, the orientation of the elongate rotary cutter relative to the bucket portion or scoop portion is fixed. 
   
   
       2 . An attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the orientation of the elongate rotary cutter relative to the bucket portion or scoop portion is such that the excavator attachment can, in use, be positioned selectively in first and second operational positions, the first operational position permitting the cutting and excavation of rock by the elongate rotary cutter whilst the bucket portion or scoop portion is in a non-operational orientation and the second operational position permitting the collection of excavated material by the bucket or scoop portion whilst the elongate rotary cutter is in a non-operational orientation. 
   
   
       3 . An attachment according to  claim 1  comprising a connecting portion for pivotal connection to an excavator. 
   
   
       4 . An attachment according to  claim 3  wherein the connection between the excavator and the connecting portion, in use, provides a first axis of rotation of the elongate rotary cutter and the bucket portion (or scoop portion), wherein the attachment is further provided with one or more components that, in use, facilitates rotation of the elongate rotary cutter and the bucket portion (or scoop portion) about a second rotational axis, the first axis of rotation being angled with respect to the second rotational axis. 
   
   
       5 . An attachment according to  claim 4  wherein the angle between the first axis of rotation and the second rotational axis being from 45 to 135 degrees and the angle between the second rotational axis and the longitudinal axis of the elongate rotary cutter being from 45 to 135 degrees. 
   
   
       6 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . An attachment according to  claim 4 , wherein said one or more components facilitates rotation of the elongate rotary cutter and the bucket portion (or scoop portion) through at least 300 degrees about said second rotational axis. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . An attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein, in use, the position of the elongate rotary cutter relative to the bucket portion (or scoop portion) is fixed. 
   
   
       11 . An attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate rotary cutter comprises a multiplicity of cutting elements, wherein the cutter elements are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rotary cutter. 
   
   
       12 . An attachment according to  claim 11  wherein the elongate rotary cutter comprises a plurality of outer members which are rotatable with respect to an inner member, each cutter element being associated with one of the outer members. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . An attachment according to  claim 11  wherein the cutter elements are associated with a rotatable, substantially rigid cylindrical cutter body. 
   
   
       15 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . An attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment is a substantially linear arrangement 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . An attachment according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment comprises a body providing the bucket portion (or scoop portion) and a receiving portion for the receipt of the cutter device, wherein the cutter device is received by the receiving portion of the body. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . An attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is provided with one or more mountings for the placement of water cannon. 
   
   
       22 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . An excavator attachment for an excavator, the attachment comprising (i) a bucket portion for receiving excavated material or a scoop portion for collecting excavated material and (ii) a cutter device capable of cutting and excavating rock, wherein the cutter device comprises a rotary cutter of elongate configuration having a multiplicity of cutter elements, the elongate rotary cutter having a proximal end associated with the bucket portion (or scoop portion) and a distal end remote from the bucket portion (or scoop portion) wherein the orientation of the elongate rotary cutter relative to the bucket (or scoop) portion is, in use, fixed. 
   
   
       25 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . An attachment for an excavator, the attachment comprising
 a first functional tool and a second functional tool,   the first functional tool having a proximal portion associated with the second functional tool and a distal portion forming a first end of the attachment,   the second functional tool having a proximal portion associated with the first functional tool and a distal portion forming a second end of the attachment,   the attachment being provided with a connecting portion for pivotal connection to an elongate arm of an excavator, the connection between the excavator and the connecting portion, in use, providing a first axis of rotation of the first and second functional tools, the attachment being further provided with one or more components that facilitate rotation of the first and second tools about a second rotational axis, the first axis of rotation being angled with respect to the second rotational axis.   
   
   
       36 - 39 . (canceled)