Bucket loader
First Claim
1. A bag filling bucket loader for attachment to a loader comprising:
- a scooping means for scooping a flowable granular material, the scooping means comprising a scoop surface and a plurality of individual funnel sections for directing the flow of the granular material;
a bag attachment means comprising a plurality of flapper assemblies adapted for selectively retaining a plurality of fillable bags, one flapper assembly being positioned at a dispensing end of each funnel section, the flapper assemblies adapted to selectively attach a plurality of fillable bags and selectively release a plurality of filled bags;
a bucket attachment means for removably coupling the bucket loader to the loader, the attachment means allowing the loader to selectively orient the bucket loader from a scooping disposition for scooping the granular material, a filling disposition whereby the granular material is directed into the fillable bags creating the filled bags, and an unloading disposition for positioning the filled bags at a desired location; and
an unloading means comprising a rotatable unloading chute for depositing the filled bags in an upright orientation when the bucket loader is directed to the unloading disposition.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bucket loader apparatus for scooping, filling, transporting and placing a plurality of bags used in constructing barriers. The bucket loader includes a universal mounting attachment for attachment to a loading vehicle whereby the loading vehicle manipulates the bucket loader between a range of dispositions. In a scooping disposition, the loading vehicle directs the bucket loader to scoop a flowable, granular material. In a loading disposition, the flowable granular material is directed through a plurality of integral funnels and into a plurality of bags, each funnel having a bag retained proximally to the funnel. After filling the bags, the bucket loader is transported to a point of use whereby the loading vehicle manipulates the loader bucket to an unloading disposition allowing placement of the filled bags. The bucket loader further includes a bag attachment assembly for selectively retaining empty bags and releasing filled bags.
15 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A bag filling bucket loader for attachment to a loader comprising:
-
a scooping means for scooping a flowable granular material, the scooping means comprising a scoop surface and a plurality of individual funnel sections for directing the flow of the granular material;
a bag attachment means comprising a plurality of flapper assemblies adapted for selectively retaining a plurality of fillable bags, one flapper assembly being positioned at a dispensing end of each funnel section, the flapper assemblies adapted to selectively attach a plurality of fillable bags and selectively release a plurality of filled bags;
a bucket attachment means for removably coupling the bucket loader to the loader, the attachment means allowing the loader to selectively orient the bucket loader from a scooping disposition for scooping the granular material, a filling disposition whereby the granular material is directed into the fillable bags creating the filled bags, and an unloading disposition for positioning the filled bags at a desired location; and
an unloading means comprising a rotatable unloading chute for depositing the filled bags in an upright orientation when the bucket loader is directed to the unloading disposition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for simultaneously filling a plurality of fillable bags with a flowable material, the comprising:
-
attaching each of a plurality of fillable bags to a bag filling bucket loader, each bag individually and proximally attaching to a funnel section integral to the bucket loader, the bucket loader further including a coupling means for operably coupling the bucket loader to a loader vehicle;
scooping a flowable material with the bucket loader, the loading vehicle operably positioning the bucket loader in a scooping disposition whereby the loading vehicle directs a scooping portion of the bucket loader into a pile of the flowable material;
directing the flowable material from the scooping portion, through the funnel sections and into the fillable bags by operably positioning the bucket loader in a loading disposition with the loading vehicle to create a plurality of filled bags;
releasing the filled bags from proximal attachment to the funnel sections whereby the filled bags are supported by a support floor in the loading disposition;
driving the loader vehicle to a point of use; and
unloading the plurality of filled bags at the point of use by operably positioning the bucket loader in an unloading disposition with the loading vehicle, an unloading chute rotatably opening under the direction of the plurality of filled bags. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A bag filling bucket loader comprising:
-
a scoop portion, a mounting portion, an unloading portion and a universal mounting connector, wherein said universal mounting connector is adapted for operably coupling the bucket loader to a loading vehicle such that the bucket loader can be selectively raised, lowered and tilted with respect to the loading vehicle resulting in a scooping disposition, a filling disposition and an unloading disposition, wherein said scoop portion comprises a scooping surface for scooping a granular, flowable material in the scooping disposition and a plurality of integral funnel sections operably connecting the scoop portion with the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion includes a bag attachment assembly for selectively retaining and releasing a plurality of bags, each of the plurality of bags corresponding to one of the funnel sections such that the granular, flowable material can be directed from the scoop portion, through the plurality of funnel sections and into the plurality of bags in the filling disposition; and
wherein the unloading portion includes a rotatable chute having a spring closure assembly, the plurality of filled bags having a total mass exceeding a retention force supplied by the spring closure assembly in the unloading disposition such that the rotatable chute rotates to an open position for slidably releasing the plurality of bags at a point of use. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification