Cement hopper attachment for skid steer loader

• US 7,314,342 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2006
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven M. Kerwin
• Original Assignee: Steven M. Kerwin
• Inventors: Kerwin, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): UNDERWOOD, DONALD W
• Application Number:
  US11/328,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20070160452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 414/722, 414/724, 414/725, 414/680, 414/912, 379/03, 374/19, 222/460, 222/461, 222/462, 222/610
• US Class Current: 414/722
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/025 Buckets specially adapted for use with concrete

Abstract

The cement hopper attachment includes a raised hopper supported atop two uprights extending from a rectangular base. The hopper has a forward mounted gate and cement chute. A hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the skid steer'"'"'s auxiliary hydraulic controls actuates the gate of the hopper. The shape and configuration of the hopper is design to provide an unobstructed view from the skid steer of the cement dispensed from hopper. The hopper attachment also includes a pair of retractable support wheels, which support the weight of the loaded hopper attachment and prevent rocking and tipping forward under the weight of the loaded hopper attachment.

Claims

1. A detachable utility attachment for a skid steer comprising:

a substantially horizontal base frame defining an open interior having opposed sides and a front;

a pair of uprights extending from the base frame from the side of the base frame

a hopper mounted between the uprights and suspended above the base frame, the hopper having a front wall, an inclined bottom wall and inclined side walls and defining an interior for receiving contents therein, the front wall having an open mouth therein, the hopper includes an elongated chute extending outward from the front wall around the mouth, the hopper bottom wall and hopper side walls converge toward the mouth so as to provide an unobstructed view of the contents dispensed from the chute through the base frame from the skid steer when the attachment is mounted to the skid steer.

2. The attachment of claim 1 and a pair of wheels shiftably mounted to the uprights for movement between a retracted position where the wheels are raised above the base frame and an extended position where the wheels are extended below the base frame.

3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the inclined bottom wall converges toward the mouth at an angle so that the chute is visible from the operators cabin of the skid steer.

4. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the hopper also includes a gate seated within the mouth for movement between an open position and closed position, and means for actuating the gate between the open and closed position to allow the contents within the hopper interior to be dispensed from the hopper.

5. The attachment of claim 1 and means mounted to the base frame for detachably mounting the attachment to the skid steer.

6. A detachable utility attachment for a skid steer comprising:

a substantially horizontal base frame defining an open interior having opposed sides and a front;

a pair of uprights extending from the base frame from the side of the base frame;

a hopper mounted between the uprights and suspended above the base frame, the hopper having a front wall, an inclined bottom wall and inclined side walls and defining an interior for receiving contents therein, the front wall having an open mouth therein, the hopper includes an elongated chute extending outward from the front wall around the mouth; and

a pair of wheels shiftably mounted to the uprights for movement between a retracted position where the wheels are raised above the base frame and an extended position where the wheels are extended below the base frame.

7. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the hopper bottom wall and hopper side walls converge toward the mouth so as to provide an unobstructed view of the contents dispensed from the chute through the base frame from the skid steer when the attachment is mounted to the skid steer.

8. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the inclined bottom wall converges toward the mouth at an angle so that the chute is visible from the operators cabin of the skid steer.

9. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the hopper also includes a gate seated within the mouth for movement between an open position and closed position, and means for actuating the gate between the open and closed position to allow the contents within the hopper interior to be dispensed from the hopper.

10. The attachment of claim 6 and means mounted to the base frame for detachably mounting the attachment to the skid steer.

11. A detachable utility attachment for a skid steer comprising:

a substantially horizontal base frame defining an open interior having opposed sides and a front;

a pair of uprights extending from the base frame from the side of the base frame;

a hopper mounted between the uprights and suspended above the base frame, the hopper having a front wall, an inclined bottom wall and inclined side walls and defining an interior for receiving contents therein, the front wall having an open mouth therein, the hopper includes an elongated chute extending outward from the front wall around the mouth, the hopper bottom wall and hopper side walls converge toward the mouth so as to provide an unobstructed view of the contents dispensed from the chute through the base frame from the skid steer when the attachment is mounted to the skid steer, the hopper also includes a gate seated within the mouth for movement between an open position and closed position, and means for actuating the gate between the open and closed position to allow the contents within the hopper interior to be dispensed from the hopper;

a pair of wheels shiftably mounted to the uprights for movement between a retracted position where the wheels are raised above the base frame and an extended position where the wheels are extended below the base frame; and

means mounted to the base frame for detachably mounting the attachment to the skid steer.