Dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor

Abstract

A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dirt scoop defining a volume, a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle, and an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame. When the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop. The interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus comprising:
 a dirt scoop defining a volume;   a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop for rotation of the dirt scoop between a scooping angle and a dumping angle; and   an interconnection assembly cooperative with the dirt scoop and the frame,   wherein, when the dirt scoop is at a scooping elevation, the interconnection assembly is configured to maintain the dirt scoop at the scooping angle while the tractor moves to scoop a material into the volume of the dirt scoop, and   wherein the interconnection assembly is further configured to automatically release the dirt scoop to allow the dirt scoop to pivot from the scooping angle to the dumping angle when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby automatically dumping the material from the volume upon reaching the dumping elevation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection assembly comprises:
 a pivot joint pivotably connecting the dirt scoop with the frame;   a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and   a spring-loaded pulley assembly fixed with the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is lifted by the tractor automatically unlatches the latch mechanism when the frame reaches the dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame and dump dirt from the volume of the dirt scoop.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises:
 a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and   a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the dumping elevation at which the dirt scoop pivots with respect to the frame to dump the dirt occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the interconnection assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. 
     
     
         6 . A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to an tractor, the apparatus comprising:
 a dirt scoop having a volume and an open front portion for scooping material into the volume;   a frame pivotably supporting the dirt scoop;   a latch mechanism disposed between the dirt scoop and the frame; and   a spring-loaded pulley assembly attached to the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein as the frame is lifted tension increases along the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a dumping elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to pivot with respect to the frame so as to dump dirt in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly comprises:
 a pulley wheel fixed to an upper portion of the frame; and   a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the dumping elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold, and wherein the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a counterbalance mechanism configured to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the latch mechanism further comprises:
 a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and   a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, wherein the lever arm has a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the frame supports the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, and wherein unlatching the latch mechanism causes the dirt scoop to pivot about the pivot connection so as to dump the material from the volume. 
     
     
         15 . A dirt scooping, moving, and dumping apparatus for attachment to a tractor, the apparatus comprising:
 a dirt scoop having a volume defined by a plurality of walls, the dirt scoop having an open front portion for scooping material into the volume, and a rear wall opposite the open front portion;   a frame having an upper member supporting the dirt scoop at a pivot connection, wherein the frame has a first end configured for attachment to a lift drive of the tractor so that operation of the lift drive results in a generally vertical movement of the frame while maintaining the frame in a generally level state;   a latch mechanism disposed between the rear wall of the dirt scoop and the frame; and   a spring-loaded pulley assembly having a pulley wheel in fixed relationship with the upper member of the frame, wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly has a first end connected to operate the latch mechanism, and a second end configured for attachment to a fixed portion of the tractor, wherein operation of the lift drive increases tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly as the frame is raised so as to automatically unlatch the latch mechanism when the frame reaches a given elevation, thereby allowing the dirt scoop to rotate about the pivot connection and dump material in the volume of the dirt scoop out the open front portion.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the given elevation at which the latch mechanism is automatically unlatched occurs when tension on the spring-loaded pulley assembly reaches a given tension threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the given tension threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the spring-loaded pulley assembly comprises:
 a pulley wheel fixed to the upper member of the frame; and   a cable assembly disposed in operational relationship with the pulley wheel, the cable assembly including a tension spring disposed between the latch mechanism and the pulley wheel, and wherein the cable assembly further includes a turnbuckle configured to adjust the given tension threshold.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises:
 a projection extending from a rear portion of the dirt scoop; and   a lever arm having a fulcrum in fixed relationship with the frame, the lever arm having a first end connected with the spring-loaded pulley assembly, the lever arm further having a second end configured to releasably engage the projection.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a counterbalance mechanism connected at the second end of the lever arm to act against forces generated by the spring-loaded pulley assembly so as to bias the latch mechanism to a latched state.