EXCAVATOR BUCKET TOP ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A top assembly for an excavator bucket comprising:
- a bottom plate having a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface;
a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate, each hinge plate being normal to and fixed to the bottom plate, each hinge plate spanning approximately from the front edge to the rear edge of the bottom plate, the two hinge plates positioned parallel to one another and each featuring two bores, a bore on one hinge plate combining with a bore on the other hinge plate to form two sets of two axially aligned bores;
a top plate having two bends formed therein, a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the top plate comprising three sections with a first section positioned on an outboard side of the first hinge plate, a second section positioned inboard of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a third section positioned outboard of the second hinge plate;
a first weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the first weld joint formed proximate the rear edge of the top plate and the rear edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the top surface of the bottom plate; and
a second weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the second weld joint formed proximate the front edge of the top plate and the front edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate.
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Abstract
An excavator bucket top assembly can be completed as an assembly before being attached to other components to form an excavator bucket. The top assembly includes a flat bottom plate and a top plate with two bends, each having relatively simple geometry for ease of manufacturing. Two hinge plates penetrate through the top plate and are joined to both the bottom plate and the top plate. The top assembly includes strategically positioned, continuous weld joints to avoid weld starts and stops that create stress risers. The top assembly produces a torque tube which is stiff and resistant to fatigue.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A top assembly for an excavator bucket comprising:
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a bottom plate having a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate, each hinge plate being normal to and fixed to the bottom plate, each hinge plate spanning approximately from the front edge to the rear edge of the bottom plate, the two hinge plates positioned parallel to one another and each featuring two bores, a bore on one hinge plate combining with a bore on the other hinge plate to form two sets of two axially aligned bores; a top plate having two bends formed therein, a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the top plate comprising three sections with a first section positioned on an outboard side of the first hinge plate, a second section positioned inboard of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a third section positioned outboard of the second hinge plate; a first weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the first weld joint formed proximate the rear edge of the top plate and the rear edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the top surface of the bottom plate; and a second weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the second weld joint formed proximate the front edge of the top plate and the front edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A top assembly for an excavator bucket comprising:
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a flat bottom plate having a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate, each hinge plate being normal to and fixed to the bottom plate, each hinge plate spanning approximately from the front edge to the rear edge of the bottom plate, the two hinge plates positioned parallel to one another and each featuring two bores, a bore on one hinge plate combining with a bore on the other hinge plate to form two sets of two axially aligned bores; a top plate having a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the top plate comprising three sections with a first section positioned on an outboard side of the first hinge plate, a second section positioned inboard of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a third section positioned outboard of the second hinge plate; the top plate and the bottom plate joined to one another proximate to the rear edge of each, the bottom plate overlapping the top plate'"'"'s rear edge; and the top plate and the bottom plate further joined to one another proximate to the front edge of each, the top plate overlapping the bottom plate'"'"'s front edge. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An excavator bucket comprising:
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a first side section and a second side section; a curved heel section; a top assembly joining and fixed to the first side section, the second side section, and the curved heel section, the top assembly forming a torque tube, the top assembly including; a bottom plate having a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a top plate having two bends formed therein, a front edge, a rear edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a first weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the first weld joint formed proximate the rear edge of the top plate and the rear edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the top surface of the bottom plate; and a second weld joint joining the top plate and the bottom plate, the second weld joint formed proximate the front edge of the top plate and the front edge of the bottom plate, and formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate, the second weld joint extending continuously from the first side section to the second side section. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification