Bucket apparatus

• US 20060073004A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BAK Saver LLC
• Original Assignee: BAK Saver LLC
• Inventors: Drexelius, Brett J., Drexelius, Daniel C.
• Application Number:
  US10/948,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073004A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/719
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/4075 Dump doors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/025 Buckets specially adapted for use with concrete

Abstract

A bucket apparatus, removably attachable to a skid-steer loader, for transporting and dispensing flowable materials, such as concrete slurry, or particulate material, comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing sidewalls defining at a top end thereof, a generally rectangular opening for the loading of flowable material. The opposing sidewalls are sloped, forming a hopper configuration terminating at the lower end, adjacent the lower end of the front wall, in a bottom exit opening and gate adapted for the controllable discharge of flowable material from the bucket. The gate may be manually controllable, pneumatically controllable, or hydraulically controllable.

Claims

1. A bucket, removably attachable to a loader vehicle for the transport and discharge of flowable materials said bucket comprising

a front wall and opposing rear wall, and opposing sidewalls defining, at a top end thereof, a rectangular opening for the loading of flowable materials into said bucket, said opposing sidewalls, having at least a lower portion thereof, being sloped to form a hopper configuration terminating at a lower end in a bottom exit opening adapted for the controllable discharge of said flowable materials from said bucket.

2. A bucket according to claim 1 wherein the size of said exit opening and the discharge of flowable materials from said bucket is controlled by a gate controllably slidable across said exit opening.

3. A bucket according to claim 2 wherein said gate is manually slidable across said exit opening.

4. A bucket according to claim 2 wherein said gate is controllably slidable across said exit opening by a hydraulic power system controlled by an operator of said loader vehicle.

5. A bucket according to claim 2 having four supporting vertical leg members.

6. A bucket according to claim 5 wherein said vertical leg members include means for adjustment of height.

7. A bucket according to claim 2 wherein said exit opening is positioned adjacent to a lower end of said front wall.

8. A bucket according to claim 2 having a removable protective cover adapted to fit over said rectangular opening.

9. A bucket according to claim 2 wherein at least a part of said upper portion of said rear wall is limited in height to an extent that said operator is provided with a clear line of sight to the surface of the contents of said bucket and to said exit opening when said bucket is empty.

10. A bucket according to claim 9 wherein the inside of said walls includes calibration markings to represent selected volumes.

11. A bucket according to claim 10 wherein said calibration markings are in the form of raised ridges.

12. A bucket according to claim 10 wherein said exit opening is in the form of an extending chute.

13. A bucket according to claim 10 wherein said exit opening is in the form of a hose.

14. A bucket according to claim 10 wherein the discharge of flowable materials from said bucket is controlled by a spinner positioned below said exit opening.

15. A bucket according to claim 14 wherein said spinner is controlled by an electric motor.

16. A bucket according to claim 2 wherein said exit opening is configured with grooves that accommodate said gate and wherein said gate is a sliding self cleaning gate.

17. A bucket, removably attachable to a skidsteer loader vehicle for the transport and discharge of flowable materials, said bucket comprising

a front wall and opposing rear wall, and opposing sidewalls defining, at a top end thereof, a rectangular opening for the loading of flowable materials into said bucket;

a removable protective cover adapted to fit over said rectangular opening;

said opposing sidewalls, in at least a lower portion thereof, being sloped to form a hopper configuration terminating at a lower end in a bottom exit opening positioned adjacent a lower end of said front wall;

a gate, horizontally slidable across said exit opening, for the control of discharge of said flowable materials through said exit opening; and

four adjustable supporting vertical leg members.