HOSE ARRANGEMENT FOR STICK AND BUCKET OF MACHINE

• US 20140079521A1
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Luvaas, John, Lau, Christopher Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 8,951,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/726
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/308 working outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/36 Component parts
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/4075 Dump doors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2275 Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 37/903 Scoop or scraper attachments

Abstract

A machine includes a boom, a stick, a bucket, and a hose arrangement. The stick is pivotally coupled to the boom. The bucket is operatively coupled to the stick and defines a pivotal axis therein. The bucket has a bowl-shaped portion for holding material on a first side and a recessed portion on a second side. The hose arrangement is coupled to the bucket and includes a first and a second manifold, and a first and a second set of hoses. The first manifold is coupled to the bucket and disposed in the recessed portion proximal to the pivotal axis. The second manifold is coupled to the bucket and disposed on the second side of the bucket. The first set of hoses is fluidly connected to the first manifold. The second set of hoses is fluidly connected to the first and second manifolds.

Claims

1. A machine comprising:

a boom;

a stick pivotally coupled to the boom;

a bucket operatively coupled to the stick and defining a pivotal axis therein, the bucket having a bowl-shaped portion for holding material on a first side and a recessed portion on a second side; and

a hose arrangement coupled to the bucket, the hose arrangement including;

a first manifold coupled to the bucket, the first manifold being disposed in the recessed portion and proximal to the pivotal axis;

a second manifold coupled to the bucket and disposed on the second side of the bucket;

a first set of hoses fluidly connected to the first manifold; and

a second set of hoses fluidly connected to the first and second manifolds.

2. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a hose holder coupled to the stick, the hose holder configured to hold the first set of hoses.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the first and second set of hoses is disposed along the second side of the bucket.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the stick includes a forked end having first and second arms.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the first manifold is disposed between the first and second arms and includes:

a first set of ports in threaded engagement with the first set of hoses; and

a second set of ports in threaded engagement with the second set of hoses.

6. The machine of claim 4, wherein the bucket includes:

a rear wall portion pivotally coupled to the stick;

a clam pivotally coupled to the rear wall portion; and

a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally connected to the rear wall portion and the clam such that the hydraulic cylinders are configured to tilt the clam with respect to the rear wall portion, each of the hydraulic cylinders including a head end and a rod end.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the rear wall portion is pivotally coupled to the first and second arms at the forked end of the stick.

8. The machine of claim 6, wherein the second manifold includes:

a first set of ports in threaded engagement with the second set of hoses;

a second set of ports in threaded engagement with a third set of hoses, the third set of hoses in fluid communication with the head end of the hydraulic cylinders; and

a third set of ports in threaded engagement with a fourth set of hoses, the fourth set of hoses in fluid communication with the rod end of the hydraulic cylinders.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is a mining bucket.

10. A machine comprising:

a boom;

a stick pivotally coupled to the boom, the stick including a forked end having first and second arms;

a bucket operatively coupled to the first and second arms and defining a pivotal axis therein;

a hose arrangement coupled to the bucket, the hose arrangement including;

a first manifold disposed between the first and second arms of the stick and coupled to the bucket such that the first manifold is disposed proximal to the pivotal axis;

a second manifold coupled to the bucket;

a first set of hoses fluidly connected to the first manifold; and

a second set of hoses fluidly connected to the first and second manifolds.

11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the machine is a mining bucket.

12. The machine of claim 10 further comprising a hose holder coupled to the stick, the hose holder configured to hold the first set of hoses.

13. The machine of claim 10, wherein the bucket defines a bowl-shaped portion for holding material on a first side and a recessed portion on a second side.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first and second set of hoses is disposed along the second side of the bucket.

15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the first manifold is disposed in the recessed portion of the bucket.

16. The machine of claim 13, wherein the second manifold is disposed on the second side of the bucket.

17. The machine of claim 10, wherein the first manifold includes a first set of ports in threaded engagement with the first set of hoses.

18. The machine of claim 10, wherein the bucket includes:

a rear wall portion pivotally coupled to the stick;

a clam pivotally coupled to the rear wall portion; and

a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally connected to the rear wall portion and the clam such that the hydraulic cylinders are configured to tilt the clam with respect to the rear wall portion, each of the hydraulic cylinders including a head end and a rod end.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the second manifold includes:

a first set of ports in threaded engagement with the second set of hoses;

a second set of ports in threaded engagement with a third set of hoses, the third set of hoses in fluid communication with the head end of the hydraulic cylinders; and

a third set of ports in threaded engagement with a fourth set of hoses, the fourth set of hoses in fluid communication with the rod end of the hydraulic cylinders.